Herman Treu

Herman Treu, the only son of Gottfried and Christina Treu, began his life in the small town of Sugar City, Colorado, on February 22, 1925. Working the sugar beet fields and playing sports kept him occupied most of his young life until the high school band director introduced him to the sousaphone. Music became his passion. Herman enlisted in the army after graduation. During World War II, he was stationed in France as part of a fire fighting platoon. After the war, he spent time in Germany where he formed an entertainment unit with an 11-man singing group known as ‘The Chapeleers. ‘ Upon earning his third battle star, he was discharged as a First Sergeant on February 2, 1946. He enrolled in Capital University s Public School Music Program in 1946. At his first chapel choir concert he met ‘his bride ‘, Mariana Hinck. Two years later they were married in Port Jefferson Station, New York. His first professional job was as choir director for a Lutheran church in Columbus where Mariana became his lead soprano, a position she has held for sixty years in his beloved church choirs. Following graduation from Capital in 1950, he accepted the position of Director of Music at Mayfield High School where he remained for 35 years, creating well loved traditions such as the Hallelujah Chorus Christmas concert alumni finale, the marching band script Cats, and the show choir, Great Jubilation. For the past forty years, Herman has served as choir director for Messiah Lutheran Church in Lyndhurst. He has assisted his daughter Elise with caring for foster babies. He has been active with the Cystic Fibrosis Foundations and has volunteered for Meals on Wheels. Herman s love of music is surpassed only by the love he shared with Mariana for their children Eric, Elise, Kris, Kurt and Gretchen. Their happiness was marred by the loss their son, Eric, in 1981. After Herman retired from teaching in 1985, his life stayed busy and joyful with the addition of each new family member, especially as he supported the activities of his ten grandchildren. Herman is survived by his beloved wife of 58 years, Mariana (nee Hinck). Loving father of Eric (deceased), Elise Hassink (husband Martin), Kris (wife Nancy), Kurt (wife Chris), Gretchen Dejter (husband Robert) of Silver Spring, MD. Devoted grandfather of Erica, Bethany, Lukas, Karsten, Torry, Matty, Britta, Libby, Jamie and Meggie. Dear brother-in-law of Hildy Brown (husband Milton). Dear uncle of four and great uncle of seven.