Herman Wagenfer was a devoted husband and father. During WWII he was in a mortar platoon in Italy, carrying the base plate of an 81mm mortar. At the time he was but 135 pounds.

After the war he worked many years for a local grocery, finally retiring to spend more time with his wife and sons. He never did learn to drive.

From his obituary: WAGENFER, Herman B. On December 20, 2008, Herman B. Wagenfer, 86, of Catonsville. He was the devoted husband of the late Virginia Lee (nee Sale) Wagenfer; loving father of Stephen A., Neil L. and Barry J. Wagenfer; grandfather of five grandchildren and eight great-grandchildren; brother of Evelyn Kirby.

Wagenfer Family Update:

Steve grew up to be a firefighter. Steve is retired now, and really into guns. He loves to shoot.

Neil works construction. He is still hard at work, as can be expected from him.

Barry is retired now. He worked for many years deliverying Entenmann's Products.

His son Matt is about to retire. He did his first term in the Air Force on active duty and then he joined the Maryland Air National Guard. He did his first 10 years as a firefighter, and then the latter part of his career in the AF's Chemical Corp/Emergency Management. Both fall under the Civil Engineering Squadron, so he has been attached to engineers his entire career and even earned the title of "Honorary Dirt Boy" after some missions attached to with them. What can he say; he likes to get dirty and after driving fire trucks so long, heavy equipment was fun! He have truly enjoyed his time with the Guard, that is much like a family. You really get to know people after so many years. He found it to been a rewarding experience to say the least.

From Active Duty Matt secured employment in the Fire Department, and retired as a Lieutenant. From there he moved on to the Federal Government where he works as an Emergency Manager for the Department of Veterans Affairs at HQ's in DC. He has since finished two AS degrees (One in Fire Science and one in Emergency Management), his BS degree in Emergency Management, and is currently working on his MS in Integrated Homeland Security Management. How about that for someone who never thought I would do. Matt and his wife Barbara and I were married in 1997. They have four children (Joshua 22, Alexis 19, Virginia 16, & Matthew Jr. 13) and one grand child (Jade 1). Joshua is Matt's stepson, and Jade is his daughter. He lives in Defuniak Springs, Florida with Gloria, Jade's Mother, whom we will likely be formally adding to the family before long. Alexis is attending community college, working, and a local volunteer fire department member. Virginia, is doing well in school, has collegiate aspirations, and will be getting her license soon. Junior will be going into high school next year, loves playing baseball and of course, video games as well as hunting and fishing with Matt. There are tons of pictures of hisy crew on his facebook page if you ever pick that up.