Harold Herman

Harold Herman, Maryland horseman and businessman
(July 26, 1918- January 4, 2017)

Harold Herman, age 98, of Darlington, MD, passed away peacefully at his home of natural causes on January 4, 2017. Born in Washington, DC, he was the son of Moses and Margaret Ann (Gerlach) Herman. He was a native Washingtonian and lived in the Washington/Baltimore area for his entire life.

In 1935 when he was 15 he became a licensed ham radio operator and communicated with people all over the world. It was then that he decided to go into engineering.

He graduated in 1940 from the University of Maryland with a degree in electrical engineering.

In the 1940s he worked for the Naval Research Laboratory, Washington, DC. In 1945 he received a Meritorious Civilian Service Award from the Navy for significant contributions in the development of radar technology which helped solve Navy war problems in World War II.

He met his wife (the former Edith Vincil of Tulsa, Oklahoma), who also worked at the Naval Research Lab, and they married in 1948.

In 1961 his family moved to Potomac and became involved with horses, and in the following years became members of the Potomac Hunt and the Potomac and Seneca Valley Pony Clubs.

He was President of the Dental Corporation of America in Rockville, MD in the early 1960s.
He was Vice President of Aiken Industries, In Alexandria, VA.

In 1965 he acquired Red Oak Farm, in Poolesville, MD and ran a successful Thoroughbred breeding operation, which was moved to Darlington, MD in 1979. He was the owner of Rambunctious, one of Maryland's leading sires of winners in the Thoroughbred racing industry. As he became increasingly interested in the veterinary surgical and breeding fields, he launched and led several veterinary supply businesses, including Breeder's Specialties and Harford Veterinary Supply. He was founder and President of Vet Surgical Resources, now run by his son, Mark and his grandson, Mark W. He kept working until he reached the age of 90.

He will be remembered by friends and family for his great sense of humor, hard work ethics, his generosity and his many diversified interests. Friends always recalled that "twinkle in his eyes". He enjoyed his long life and lived it well.

Mr. Herman is survived by his wife, Edith V. Herman, of 69 years, his sons Joseph V. Herman, and Mark Herman (Mardi), both of Darlington, and his daughter Margaret McBryde (Larry) of Gaithersburg; MD, four grandchildren, Eliza, Mark, Sarah and Joe; and two great-grandchildren, William and Claire.

Memorial contributions may be sent to the Thoroughbred Retirement Foundation, 10 Lake Avenue, Saratoga Springs, NY 12866.