Herman C. Pett

Herman C. Pett, age 94, of Holland, OH, passed away on November 8, 2022, at Swanton Valley Rehabilitation and Healthcare Center, surrounded by family.

Herman was born in Detroit, MI, on December 5, 1927, son of Herman and Gertrude (Czischke). He married his dear wife, Phyllis (Parmenter), and she survives after 72 years of devoted marriage.

In addition to Phyllis, left to cherish his memory include his children, David (Amy) and Gary (Martha) Pett; his grandchildren, Ryan (Jessica), Steven, Kyle, Laura, Carl (Katherine), Gary, Jr. (Emily), and Nicholas; great-grandchildren, Arthur, Louisa, Tabitha, and Maya. Herman is preceded in death by his parents and his brothers, Carl and Russell Pett.

He was proud of his deep roots in Detroit, including his alma mater, Eastern High School, and the family church, Salem Lutheran, where he met Phyllis and formed friendships that lasted lifetimes. He joined the U.S. Army as WW II was ending, and served his tour with the occupation forces in Europe. He was stationed in Gorizia, Italy, but spent considerable time traveling the Continent playing basketball for the Army. Following discharge he attended Lawrence Institute of Technology, majoring in Industrial Engineering and playing varsity basketball. Among the highlights of his playing days were playing against the then power-house City College of New York at a sold-out Olympia Stadium in Detroit and traveling to New York City to participate in the NIT, the premier post-season basketball tournament at the time. He was subsequently elected to the University’s sports Hall of Fame.

After he graduated, he went to work at General Motors, an over three-decade career with the Design Staff at the GM Technical Center in Warren, MI. Sports remained an enduring passion, playing softball into his seventies before golf became the activity of choice. He will be remembered for so much more, however, as his life was centered around decency, modesty, personal responsibility, and piety for family and faith. Those qualities are his lasting legacy.

Herman's remains will be interred at Historic Trinity Lutheran Church in Detroit.