Norbert Eugene Joseph Hermes was born May 25, 1933, in Shallow Water, Kansas, to John and Mary Hermes, the tenth of eleven children. He was preceded in death by his parents and six brothers, his twin, Benedictine monk, Bishop Herbert Hermes of Cristalandia, Brazil, Eugene, Raymond, Clarence, Jerome and Gerald, and three sisters, Mildred Brunner, Victoria Urban, and Rita, and one son Jon Hermes. He is survived by one sister, Lucilla Herman of Broken Arrow, OK, his wife of 61 years, Marlene, and four children, Paul (Jan) of Raymore, MO, Joel (Lisa) of Stilwell, KS, Norbertine priest Fr. Alphonsus (Brian) of St. Michael’s Abbey Silverado, CA and Lori (Lee) Wilbur of Little Rock, Arkansas, nine grandchildren and two great-grandchildren.
Norbert graduated from Scott City, KS, High School, Regis College, Denver, and Emporia State University (Masters) and administrative courses from Fort Hays State University. He worked 40 years in education as an elementary teacher at Jefferson East in Hays and Hawthorn in Salina, an Elementary counselor, school psychologist, and as a special education personnel supervisor. He taught night courses in English and Math at Schilling Air Force base. Norbert was a member of Sacred Heart Cathedral for sixty-three years, frequented daily mass and monthly reconciliation. He was the very first Parish Council President, a lector, and a member of the Education Commission teaching adult and high school CCD courses. He sang in the Cathedral choir for thirty-six years. As a member of the Knights of Columbus for sixty-five years, he served as recording secretary, news editor, Deputy, and Grand Knight, and was honored as State Family of the year in 2001. As Prolife chairman he continually supported local, national, and international groups defending life. He was a permanent member of the Diocesan Prolife group. He served on the Board of Catholic Charities, and on the Strategic Planning committee of Sacred Heart High School.
Norbert wrote over 700 articles for the Northwest Kansas Register, and over 100 hundred letters to the editors of secular newspapers on social and moral issues. He was involved in the Center for Economic and Social Justice of Washington, D.C., and was the Kansas representative for Christus, Medicus, promoting Catholic Medical culture to bishops and laity.
Visitation will be 4-8 p.m. Friday, January 27, 2023, with rosary starting at 7 p.m, at Sacred Heart Cathedral. A Mass of Christian Burial will be 10:30 a.m. Saturday, January 28, at Sacred Heart Cathedral, with burial following at Mt. Calvary Catholic Cemetery, Salina.
The family suggests donations to Sacred Heart Cathedral, Bishop Herbert’s Legacy Fund (https://www.kansasmonks.org) in care of Fr. Duane Roy, St. Benedict’s Abbey, 1020 N. 2nd St., Atchison, KS. 66002, or The Norbertine Foundation (https://theabbotscircle.com) 27977 Silverado Canyon Rd. Silverado, CA.