Herm was a great friend of mine and of all early members of NYSOEA. When I was Assistant Director, of Conservation Education for DEC (and later Director of the Bureau of Education), Herm worked at Rogers Center in Sherburne under John Weeks. He was John's right and left hand man and held the title of Conservation Educator as I recall.
Herm was a master field teacher and worked extremely well with teachers and students. He also was very creative when working with John as they developed trails, interpretive exhibits, literature, etc.
Prior to going with DEC in January, 1971, I ran a Title III ESEA grant project called Project RACE (Regional Approach to Conservation Education) sponsored by the Ilion Central School District. It was during that three-year period before going to DEC that I became involved with Weeks and Weiskotten. That was also the period during which the movement to get NYSOEA started was heating up and progress was made. The main driver, I would say, was George Fuge (spurred on by Harlan"Gold" Metcalf). Weiskotten, together with the likes of John Weeks, Chip Hunter, Ernie Coons, Kent Reeves, Andy Angstrom, Nancy Ayers, Irv Rosenstein, myself, and others that I can't recall at the moment, officially founded NYSOEA.
I worked very closely with Herm and John as Director of Project RACE. We developed the two-story residential dormitory out of the old Conservation Department pheasant-rearing barns at Rogers Center. We also worked closely with THE MID-YORK CONSERVATION FUND, INC. which was a citizen volunteer group that John was key in starting. That group raised funds that we could not get through the regular State budgeting process to really give a boost to the development of the Rogers Center.
As Director of RACE, I was also able to funnel many thousands of dollars into the developing Rogers Center and actually paid for the renovation and furnishing of the pheasant barns into dorms for boys and girls. This was a major first for the State. Herm played a MAJOR role in planning and seeing to completion of such projects. He also trained teachers, volunteers, and other young aspiring students in conservation, environmental, recreation, outdoor, and preservation education. He knew the differences!!!!!!
So, when Herm died VERY SUDDENLY, and I believe at the age of 51, the NYSOEA BOD decided to establish a memorial fund in his memory and recognition.
~Jerry Passer, Co-Founder and Past President, NYSOEA
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