Lawrence R. "Larry" Herbig passed away April 2, 2015 at the age of ninety-seven. Born January 16, 1918 in rural Pecatonica, he was the son of Raymond and Urilla (Seibert) Herbig. He attended Watson Grade School and graduated from Pecatonica High School. In 1943, he graduated from the University of Wisconsin, Platteville, with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Agriculture and Biological Sciences. Larry married Nellie V. Pickett in Plat-teville, WI, November 26, 1943. Larry enlisted in the Navy in 1942 and received commission as an ensign from USNR Midshipmen School at Columbia University, New York City, NY. He served as engineering officer and First Lieutenant aboard the USS LST 268 in the Asiatic-Pacific area from 1943-46. His ship was involved in seven invasions during World War II. He was authorized to wear three service ribbons and six bronze stars.
He returned to Freeport in 1946 where he worked as assistant farm advisor in Stephenson County and for the University of Illinois Extension Service for two years. He became an agriculture and industrial engineer for Commonwealth Edison in 1948. He worked for thirty-two years for Commonwealth Edison retiring in 1980 as a senior commercial sales engineer. Larry was a prominent figure in Freeport activities. He served as a chairman of Stephenson County March of Dimes, county chairman of the Red Cross, fifteen years as a winning manager for Freeport baseball teams, director of the Stephenson County Fair Association for 25 years and chairman of the commercial exhibits representing the Freeport Chamber of Commerce.
He was also an honorary member of District I Future Farmers of America, past member of Toastmasters
Club, the Elks Club and Illinois Agricultural Engineering Society. He was involved in the United Way and the
Freeport Chamber of Commerce and was recognized by the city of Freeport with the Outstanding Community Service Award for the new street lighting program. He was a fifty-plus year member of Embury United Method-ist Church where he served as usher and church trustee. An active and dedicated conservationist and sportsman, he loved hunting and fishing, especially at the family cabin in Wisconsin.
Larry joined Kiwanis in April, 1961 and served as President from 1969-70. He was elected as Kiwanian of the Year in 1982-83 and received the Legion of Honor in 2006. During the fifty-three years as a Kiwanis member, he was directly involved in naming a new road, "Kiwanis Drive". He and Nellie were the prime advocates to see that 187 trees be planted along the road way. His theme for the Kiwanis project was "Color it Green with Trees".
With his care, dedication, and hard work, Kiwanis Drive flourishes today.
On September 15, 2009, Freeport's Mayor Gaulrapp proclaimed the day as "Larry Herbig Day" along with a resolution to request Kiwanis Drive an honorary street name of "Larry and Nell Herbig Drive". To further honor the Herbig couple and Kiwanis members, a bronze plaque is placed on the drive. Larry was featured in the Freeport Journal Standard for this outstanding community service. Through Kiwanis, he engineered the plant-ing of the trees along the center drive in the City Cemetery and Freeport High School. He developed the service club's "Welcome to Freeport" signs, managed the Kiwanis Buckle-Up signs program and initiated and helped maintain the Kiwanis benches placed around the city. He developed the Kiwanis Pancake Day placemats. Lar-ry was presented the Kiwanis International Distinguished Service Award and Division 12 District Outstanding Service Activity Award. He also spearheaded the building of the Brewster boat landing in Winslow on the Peca-tonica River.
Larry was a man of many interests. He leaves a legacy of a life lived in dignified and moral ways. Above all he loved and cherished his devoted wife and family. He is survived by two daughters, Marsha Forsythe, Honolulu, HI and Susan (Don) Sutton, Bloomington, IL; two sons, Terry (Donna) Herbig, Moline, IL and Todd
Herbig, of Sierra Madre, CA; eight grandchildren, Justin Forsythe, Tyler Forsythe, Kellie (David) Henry, Amanda (Greg) Boitnott, Kyle Herbig, Casie Harden, Timothy Herbig and Daniel (Natalie) Herbig; nine great-grandchil-dren; brother Floyd Herbig, Rockford, IL and two sisters Alice Chandler, Sterling, IL and Evelyn Dahl, Rockford, IL. Preceding him in death are his beloved wife, Nell, and brother, LaVerne.In lieu of flowers, memorials have been established at theFreeport Noon Kiwanis Club,"Tree Fund for Kiwanis Drive", FHN Hospice and the Embury United Methodist Church. Cards of condolence and memorials may be sent to:Terry Herbig, 3513 32nd Avenue, Moline, IL 61265