Herbert A. Plassmann

Herbert Arthur Plassmann, age 87, of Bryan, Ohio, died at 6:10 A.M. on Sunday, July 8, 2012, in Dream Haven, Edgerton, Ohio, where he was a resident. Herbert enlisted in the Navy in 1943, trained for the Naval Air Force at Memphis, Tennessee, where he won an award for perfect airplane recognition. Herb joined his comrades in Honolulu and the Johnston Islands, where he served as machinist mate 2nd class. His favorite plane duty was the PBY-5 that served as search and rescue. He was discharged in March 1946. Herb graduated from Bowling Green State University, where he earned a Bachelor of Arts in Industrial Arts. He studied at Michigan State graduate school and the Art Center of Los Angeles. Herb retired in 1987 after 25 years with the Ohio Art Company as head of the Design Group. He held nine patents and twelve package design awards. Prior to this, he had worked at The Aro Corporation, taught industrial arts, owned his own design group and was an instructor of design at Bowling Green State University. After retirement Herb pursued his love of Ford automobiles and restored over twenty vintage Mustangs and other vehicles, including one that was on the cover of Hemmings Classic Car magazine. Herb also was the innovator behind Sunrise Enterprises, restoration of 1960s Midget Mustang Pedal Cars. Herbert Arthur Plassmann was born on April 10, 1925, the third son of Anna Kahrs Plassman and George William Plassman of Wauseon, Ohio, and baptized in the Lutheran Church. Herb met his future wife, Joan Willson, at the Fulton County Fair, where they were both on dates with others, and made plans for a future date. Married in 1949, they were married for 59 years. Herb and Joan are the parents of four children, George Plassmann, of Olathe, Kansas, Susan (Scott) Kusel, of Charlotte, North Carolina, William (Pam) Plassmann, of Waterville, Ohio, and Anna Carminito, of Napa, California; nine grandchildren, Hilary, Bryce, Matthew, Amy and Sarah Plassmann, Ryan, Dustin and Brett Kusel, and Chelsea Carminito; and one great-grandson, River Cassidy Kusel. Herb is also survived by a sister, Marian Crawford. Herb’s older brother Julius Fred Plassman, passed away Tuesday, July 10, 2012. Herb was preceded in death by his parents, his wife, Joan, his brother, Roland, his nephew, Jim Crawford, and his niece, Karen Gray. Herb was dedicated to his wife and family and happily settled in Bryan, Ohio, in 1962, where he and Joan raised their children in the historic property at 346 Center Street until they built their retirement cottage at Lakeland Woods. Herb was happiest with his family around him, traveling to new destinations in the U.S. and abroad and working in his garage(s) attending to the minute details that made him well known in car restoration circles. Visitation will be held on Tuesday, July 17, 2012, from 2:00-4:00 P.M. and 6:00-8:00 P.M. in the Krill Funeral Home, 860 West Mulberry Street, Bryan, Ohio. Services will be held on Wednesday, July 18, 2012, at 11:00 A.M. in the First Lutheran Church, Bryan, with Pastor Richard Franks officiating. Interment will follow in Shiffler Cemetery, near Bryan. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Dream Haven, L.L.C., Edgerton.