Lawrence Shepley Hermann ’75

Shep was born December 18, 1952, in St. Louis, the son of Sally and Frederick Albert Hermann ’46. He graduated from St. Louis Country Day School, then from Princeton, cum laude in mechanical engineering. He was a member of Cottage Club. One of his many famous escapades was providing transportation for friends and dates by means of a University ambulance; dates were impressed!

Image

Shep spent two years with Domino Sugar in Philadelphia and then married the love of his life, Robin Cornwell Hermann, whom he had met in high school while coaching her women’s ice hockey team. They moved to Charlottesville, where Shep attended UVA’s Darden School of Business. After several years in Atlanta, where Shep worked for Scientific Atlanta, they moved back to St. Louis, where he became the fourth generation to join Hermann Oak Leather Company. He transformed the company, implementing Lean Manufacturing processes and becoming one of the world experts on the intricacies of vegetable leather tanning, earning the nickname “Professor.” He was grateful to, and proud of, his employees for the strong culture they built together.

Image

Shep loved spending time at his house in Boca Grande, Fla., with friends and family. He loved boating, golf, water skiing, hunting, and traveling. He served as a Ladue Police Commissioner, on the Grace Hill Board (now Urban League), and was a member of YPO Gold. Shep had an immense love for God, family, and country. His family asked to share a link to his autobiographical reflections: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1VbUNLm4l-fxSdCs1JVCRd_fCX1ag8jo2/view

Shep passed away on October 16, 2024. He was predeceased by Robin and by his parents, his uncle Bob Hermann ’44, and grandfather Edward Keyes ’21. Among his survivors are his daughters, Missy Pydo ’04 and Kati Mawhiney, and six grandchildren; sisters Holly Gulick, Lyn Grace, and Mary Hermann Lemkemeier ’89; brother, Rick Hermann; niece Sally Lemkemeier ’19; cousin Bob Hermann Jr. ’75; and many other loving family members. We will try to uphold his motto: Celebrate Life!