John R. Hermansen, 74, of Berlin, Germany, passed away on Friday, January 24, 2025 after a long battle with cancer. He was born on March 28, 1950 in Menominee, Michigan to the late Ralph F. and Alma M. (Byrnes) Hermansen.

John grew up in Green Bay. As a boy, he joined the Cub Scouts and Boy Scouts and remained a member through ninth grade. He attended St. Patrick's Grade School and West High, graduating in 1968. Both schools were very important influences in John's life, and in later conversations he would often refer fondly and humorously to old friends and former teachers. John flourished at West, where he became a member of its vocal groups, lending his smooth baritone to the Madrigals, Acapella and general chorus.

After high school John attended U.W.-Oshkosh (then known as W.S.U.-Oshkosh), studying voice, piano and theater. In 1973 he took a trip to Europe with some college friends. Their final stop was in Germany, where he stayed for a year. John returned to Wisconsin sporting even longer hair and speaking fluent German. He transferred to U.W.-Milwaukee and changed his academic focus to German language and teaching, and the history of German theater.

In 1978 John moved to Berlin, having been awarded a scholarship for further studies at the Free University. He intended to live there long enough to complete his master's degree. Every year we'd ask him when he was coming home; eventually we stopped asking.

He worked many years in a civilian capacity for the U.S. Air Force in the office of Public Affairs, editing their newspaper The Berlin Tabulator. He then served as the commander's community relations adviser until the Air Force departure in 1993. In January 1986, he was given an award for sustained superior performance as an editor. John absolutely loved his job in public relations. He met and interviewed many politicians and celebrities. Since his original goal in life was a career in entertainment, he must have had a lot of fun conversing with people in the business.

After his employment with the Air Force, John worked as a television news producer for Deutsche Welle, a public, multi-language, international broadcaster. He remained there until his retirement.

In the summer of 1993, he met Karsten Klotz. They were together 25 years before marrying in a civil ceremony in the fall of 2018. We want to thank Karsten for taking such good care of John during his illness and being there for his final moments.

John had some good times in his youth, among them fun with his siblings and Hermansen cousins in Menominee, visits with our grandparents and swimming at Henes Park. His neighborhood buddies included Vicki Lewis-whom he met when they were both 5 years old--, Dave Churchill and Tom Blaney, just to name a few. He made and kept so many friends in his lifetime. He attended every high school class reunion until his illness prevented him from doing so.

John loved German beer, playing the piano, and enjoyed all kinds of music, including oldrock and roll, the Beatles and classic rock, Broadway musicals, Scott Joplin, opera and symphonies, and the conducting talents of Leonard Bernstein. He was an excellent cook and party host who possessed a keen wit. If your evening was spent in a corner talking and joking with John, you were a lucky guest.

Although he was far from home, he always stayed in touch. Every year saw Christmas and birthday cards in the mailbox, Mother's Day flowers for Mom, and his thoughtful and frequent long distance phone calls. John will be sadly missed by all who loved him.

He is survived by his husband, Karsten; his sisters, Anne and Elizabeth and his brother, Michael; nieces and nephews, Todd McAllister, Kari McAllister, Julie (Lionel) Arcand, Andy Gricevich (Nora Novitch), Katharine Gricevich (John Combs), Nathan Hermansen (Karin Adams) and Joseph Hermansen; cousins, Patti (George) Pilacek, Barb (Steve) Sequin and Don (Beth) Hermansen. Also survived by his former sister-in-law, Joyce Holubar, former brother-in-law, William J. McAllister, and his Connolly cousins "out east"; several great- and great-great nieces and nephews. Many other special people who were in John's life survive him, including his lifelong friend, Vicki Lewis-Mckee, and his college friends Ingrid Erickson, Joyce (Dorner) McCall and Jeanne Seidl.

In addition to his parents, John was preceded in death by his grandparents, George and Alice Byrnes and Carl and Marie Hermansen; aunts and uncles, Robert and Merle Hermansen, Ray and Louise (Byrnes) Connolly and John Byrnes; his sister, Kathleen (McAllister) and brother, Thomas; a dear brother-in-law, Max Gricevich; his cousin, Bill Hermansen; and special friends, Mike Hill and Udo Rachau.

Friends and family will gather at Blaney Funeral Home, 1521 Shawano Ave., from 12pm (NOON) to 1:30pm on Thursday, November 13; Service to follow at 1:30pm. To send online condolences, please go to www.BlaneyFuneralHome.com.

Services in Berlin were held on February 28, 2025.