Ralf Herkert

Ralf was born in Annaberg, Germany to the late Eduard Arthur and Beda (Weiser) Herkert. He spent his early years in Annaberg and then Heilbronn, Germany with his mother after his father passed away when he was only 7 years old. Sponsored by his uncle Hermann Herkert in New York City, Ralf moved to the United States in 1953. In 1954 he enlisted in the U.S. Army spending the next 20 years in the Signal Corps stationed at Ft. Monmouth, NJ, Orleans, France, and Ft. Gordon, GA with additional service stints in Vietnam and Africa. He retired from the Army in 1974 as an instructor at the U.S. Army Signal Corps School at Ft. Gordon with the rank of Master Sergeant. Using the G.I. Bill, he then completed college at Augusta College (now Augusta University) and graduated with a bachelor’s degree in Business Administration in 1977. After managing a Radio Shack store for a couple of years, he rejoined the U.S. Army in 1979 as a civilian and took a position in International Logistics with the U.S. Army Missile Command at Redstone Arsenal, AL. His second career with the U.S. Army revolved around Stinger International Programs where he worked until his retirement in 1998. Ralf was an active member of St. Mark’s Lutheran Church, together with his wife Almut (Missy), from their arrival in Huntsville, AL in 1979 until their move to Marietta, GA in 2019. He was active in the life of St. Mark’s with numerous activities through the years including volunteering with the food pantry, building ramps for those in need, singing in the choir on occasion, and even serving on the Church Council. He especially loved the social aspect of sharing, serving, and communing with his many close St. Mark’s friends. One of his favorite activities was enjoying food and fellowship on the yearly Smokies Paradise trips he and Almut took with the St. Mark’s Hiking and Wine Tasting Club. He also found joy in coin and stamp collecting, reading, crossword puzzles, and taking care of his retirement paradise on Fussy Hill Road in New Market, AL. Ralf was preceded in death by his dear daughter Marion Joyce Cole in 2013. Survivors include his high school sweetheart, beloved wife of 63 years, and best friend, Almut Ursula (Stroppel) Herkert; sons, Arthur Gerald Herkert (Stephanie) and Ralph Matthew Herkert (Cathy); grandchildren, Alexandra Elizabeth Perry (Jonas), Mallory Ashton Cole, Benjamin Arthur Herkert, Maura Elisabeth Herkert, Emily Kirsten Herkert, and Sabrina Charlotte Herkert. Ralf wanted to be remembered as a faithful believer and servant of his Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. He chose to be interned in the columbarium at St. Mark’s so that he could be with his St. Mark’s family and friends in perpetuity. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions should be made to St. Mark’s Lutheran Church, 200 Longwood Dr. SE, Huntsville, AL 35801.