Sunday, November 20, 2022
I heard belatedly that “Hersh” (or Herschy?) has passed on to the sky world and I still can’t understand it. We were not related but by connection of his father who was my aunt’s paramour for decades, we were associated. Herschel and the Shapiro’s would fly in from their various directions of a gathering coincided and just shine with the glitter of being super talented, bright as stars, dressed even casually to the nines and beaming with smiles. They were so loved by a mom who had passed away and their father Irving who never failed in his family love and support. Irving bore the tattoos of Auschwitz on his arm and became quite a well known spokesman and author about the experience as well as a truly successful business man and a lot of fun, as were the entire family.
I cannot ever remember seeing Herschel without the smile of a true winner, a kind charismatic, stunning person two years my senior. You didn’t even dare get a crush on him he was just too cool. I remember him as a standout Scottsbluff Bearcat wrestler and truly there were laurels around him even though I went to another town and didn’t know his family yet. He was a legend as was his actress sister Marlene who fit the bill as superstar material of Scottsbluff Valley, Nebraska along with Bandleader Lanny Page. Was Herschel playing for my sophomore homecoming or prom? Drums??! I did not know. I wish he could have become a successful drummer instead of lawyer but that is day dreaming. He was not a person I can understand as having left the planet.
There was a separation between our family branches later that left me out. However, to his beautiful girls and all who he touched who were forever impressed by him…Here’s a twinkle back to you Herschel, you did good.
