Herman Page

Herman was born in 1927 in Boston, Massachusetts, to Herman R. and Lois D. Page. He grew up in Dayton Ohio, graduating high school from Howe Military Academy. After graduation, he enlisted in the Army and served until the end of WWII. After military service, Herman attended and graduated from Harvard University. He then attended the Episcopal Theological Seminary in Cambridge, Massachusetts, and was ordained to the priesthood on Dec. 13, 1952.

Fr. Page served several churches in northern Michigan. From 1963-1967 he served the National Church as a small church specialist. Following his work for the National Church, he served parishes in Liberal and the surrounding areas then in congregations within the Episcopal Diocese of Kansas. In retirement he became associated with St. David's as a pastoral assistant.

Herman's life was framed by four major interests: God & Church, all things railroad, the island of Martha's Vineyard, and most of all, his Family. In these, he always delighted in the history associated with each.

Love of the Church was extension of Fr. Page's love of God in Jesus and was nurtured by unwavering daily prayer throughout his life. He sought to know and understand the Scriptures more fully. He often read the New Testament in Greek and he twice traveled to the Holy Land to immerse himself in the places and historical context in which the passages of the Bible were written. He dedicated his life to bringing God's healing, love and compassion to all, especially to those on the fringes of society. He worked to keep the church relevant in a changing society. In particular he embraced prayer book revision and women's ordination.

Herman's fascination and joy with trains began as a small boy and never waned as he traveled through life. As a young man, he built an HO-scale model train layout that grew over the years. It was patiently restructured to fit each rectory as his ministry took him from place to place. He photographed and modeled steam locomotives, passenger cars, and depots. Herman loved everything from the Copper Range steam trains of Northern Michigan and the Narrow Guage lines of Colorado, to the Alaska Railroad, and to the modern day diesels of Amtrak and the Santa Fe. After several years of research, he wrote a book Rails Across Martha's Vineyard detailing the 1890's steam and trolley service on that island. He and son-in-law Al bought and worked together on the restoration of a 1911 Pullman sleeping car, the Villa Real. He was a major sponsor of the salvage and restoration of a Northern Michigan Chapel Car and a Copper Range wooden coach. His travels included riding the Orient Express, and steam trains in Mexico.

Herman's love of Martha's Vineyard Island began as a young boy during vacations there with family. As a teen, he spent summers there with his grandparents and delighted in racing small sailboats. While a student at Harvard and the Episcopal Theological Seminary, he often traveled to the island during school breaks. He and wife, Mary, spent their honeymoon there, and shared their love of the island with their three daughters. In later years, he and Mary happily spent much time there, sailing a small catboat, enjoying the view of the water, and feasting on fresh seafood. Martha's Vineyard remained a special place throughout Herman's entire life. Its salt air and rich heritage were his own little slice of heaven on earth.

Herman always had a deep love of family. He and Mary raised three daughters with a healthy balance of sternness, joy, compassion, and with a healthy dose of humor. Love found abundant expression in sharing shores, being silly, copious family photos, and encouraging each daughter's dreams. No matter the distance away, attendance at school graduations and other significant family celebrations was always important to him and to Mary. To officiate at family weddings, baptisms, and even funerals was a particular source of joy for Fr. Herman. As a third generation Episcopal priest, he always cherished the ability to wear his grandfather's stole during such occasions.

Herman loved faithfully and deeply but never took himself too seriously. His favorite quote of recent years was from the old comic strip Pogo. "Don't take life too seriously, it ain't no-how permanent!"

Herman is survived by Mary, his wife of 63 years: daughters & sons-in law Elizabeth & Henry Diehl of Brookville, KS, Lois & Albert Sauer of Raleigh, NC, Susan & Johnathan Macy of Virginia Beach, VA. He is also survived by four grandchildren and spouses (Mary & James Fisher, Jeremy & Meghan Diehl, Stephanie & Matthew Rich, and Kathryn & Nathan Cox0 and six great-grandchildren.