Ernest G. Herman

Ernest G. Herman was born in Berlin'''as was his mother, father and four grandparents. His great grandfather founded the printing and publishing firm of H. S. Hermann in 1837, which the Herman family continued to operate from their offices at Beuthrstr. 8 until the advent of Hitler forced them to emigrate in 1936 to the United States. During World War II he served in the U.S. Army and right after the war was the American laison officer attached to the Dutch Financial Mission in Germany. Upon returning to Los Angeles, he resumed his career in the real estate business''_his chosen profession after leaving Germany. During his career he developed commercial properties in the United States, Canada and Australia. He built one of the first shopping centers in the United States. and the first 6 shopping centers in Australia. Ernest Herman is co-founder of the Los Angeles-Berlin Sister City Committee, a long-time member and previous Director of the German-American Chamber of Commerce of Los Angeles, and served on President Reagan'?s committee for the celebration of the 300-year anniversary of the first Germans to come to the United States. Over the years he has been host to many dignitaries from Adenauer to Vogel, from Willy Brandt to the current Berlin mayor. The Federal Republic of Germany has honored him with Das Grosse Verdienstkreuz. He was one of the first to be decorated by Berlin.with Den Verdienstorden Des Landes Berlin. Ernest Herman'?s late wife, Ini de Strakosch, was born in Vienna. The Austrian government bestowed upon him the great award of the Republic of Austria. Born April 10, 1917. Died August 13, 2009