- Date Of Birth: September 13, 1938
- Date Of Death: January 10, 2012
- State: California
Born with extraordinary athletic ability, Richard “Dick” Hergenrader earned the nickname “Yogi” (after the great Yogi Berra) when he was still in grade school, playing sandlot baseball with his boyhood friends in Lincoln, Neb. His athleticism was exceeded only by his natural charisma, outgoing personality, and sense of humor.
He passed away on Jan. 10, 2012, at home in Oxnard after a valiant battle with cancer. Baseball was his first love, and he was coached gently and faithfully by his father, Fred, and cheered on by his loving mother, Leah. While attending Lincoln High School from 1953-1956, Dick lettered in baseball for three years. While baseball was his passion, he was also a talented basketball player, and he lettered in basketball for two years. He was ultimately named State Champion by The World Herald, and in 1991, Dick was inducted into the Lincoln High Athletic Hall of Fame.
After graduating from high school, Dick pursued his true passion, baseball. He signed with the Boston Red Sox Organization where he was an infielder. Dick quickly rose to Class AAA ball where he made the major league roster. While playing with the Boston Red Sox farm teams, he attended the University of Nebraska where he was a member of Sigma Nu Fraternity, and where he ultimately earned a B.S. in Education.
After suffering an ankle injury, Dick took a position as manager in the Red Sox chain before leaving the organization in 1964. At that time, he joined the DuPont Company where he met his beloved wife of 34 years, Judy. After he retired, he and Judy moved from the San Fernando Valley to Hollywood Beach where they lived happily for 20 years. In addition to being a talented gardener who cultivated prize winning roses, Dick was an avid golfer. He cherished his time at Spanish Hills Country Club where he and Judy spent many long hours on the course, and where they made many cherished friends.
Dick is survived by his wife, Judy, his daughter, Holly and her husband Sean, and their two children, Tanner and India. He is also survived by four other grandchildren: Jessica, Sarah, Chrissy and Jennifer, and his sister, Ellie Stehr. He will be sorely missed by his precious four-legged children, Molly and Andy.
The family would like to sincerely thank his team of doctors who fought so hard to save him: Dr. Robert Lum, Dr. Ann Kelley, Dr. Richard Essner, Dr. Bente Berman, Dr. Andrew Weymer, and the many staff members associated with their practices. Dick held his physicians in warm regard, and he trusted them implicitly as he fought his valiant seven-year battle. He did so with courage, grace, and dignity, and he was an inspiration to us all.
