Dr. Werner Herz

Werner Herz died on August 17th, 2012. He is survived by daughters Monica (John) Rosner of Tallahassee and Andrea "Posy" (Hunter) Payne of Santa Monica, CA; sons Michael John Herz of Tallahassee and Patrick (Anna) Herz of Highlands, NC; grandchildren Lucy and Ezra Herz; and home helper of 47 years, Ruby Dickey. His beloved wife Marcia and sister Hannah preceded him in death. He leaves a cherished community in the world of natural products chemistry research and an extended family of the heart. Dr. Herz was born in Stuttgart, Germany, attended the Eberhard-Ludwig Gymnasium, continued studies in Sheffield, England, emigrated with his parents and sister to the United States in December 1937, and graduated from Sewaneka High School on Long Island, NY. He attended Northwest Missouri State Teachers College in Maryville, MO, was a member of Phi Beta Kappa, and received his BA in 1943 from The University of Colorado, Boulder, where he met his future wife, Marcia. After receiving his Ph.D. in Chemistry in 1947, he completed post-doctoral work at The University of Illinois at Champaign-Urbana, and arrived in Tallahassee in 1949 as a member of the special group of "Forty-Niners" joining the Florida State University faculty that year. The early years at FSU found Dr. Herz laying the foundation for his future research in the complex field of natural products chemistry, and the early use of NMR spectrometry, as well as building a strong foundation for the fledgling university. He served as departmental freshman and undergraduate counselor, graduate student advisor and studies coordinator, Assistantship Committee chair, and was a dedicated advocate for the establishment of a science library. Throughout the 50s and 60s as he developed his reputation in the academic and scientific communities, he also joined with local concerned citizens to improve conditions for African American university employees and for the subsequent students and faculty at FSU during integration. With his wife, he was also a member of the Alliance Française and German Clubs. An international lecturer as well as a dedicated teacher, mentor, and scholar, Dr. Herz served on numerous advisory and research grant selection boards including The National Science Foundation and The National Institute of Health. He received The Florida Award of The American Chemical Society, was twice Chairman of The Gordon Research Conference, and in 1987 was awarded The Robert O. Lawton Distinguished Professor Award, FSU's highest faculty honor, conferred in recognition of scholarly distinction at the international level and in recognition of teaching, research, and creative endeavors at FSU. He served as Senior Editor at the Journal of Organic Chemistry for 30 years and as editor of Progress in the Chemistry of Organic Natural Products for 40 years. Though he retired officially in 1995, Dr. Herz maintained his office at the university for the next 17 years and continued to publish articles in collaboration with former students and colleagues until the time of his death. He leaves behind more than 550 published papers over a 67-year career and a global network of natural product chemists that he mentored as students, postdoctoral associates and visiting scientists. Burial services are private. Bevis Funeral home is handling arrangements. A celebration of Werner and Marcia’s lives will be held at the Tallahassee Garden Club on Sunday, September 23, 2012, from 3-5 p.m. The family thanks the devoted St. Augustine Plantation community who gladly transported him to ensure the continuation of his professional activities, provided encouragement, and shared interests and stories. Memorial contributions may be made to his preferred charity, Aid Still Required, the organization founded by his youngest daughter. Aid Still Required, c/o Andrea Herz Payne, PO Box 7353, Santa Monica CA 90406; or at www.aidstillrequired.org

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Dr. Werner Herz

February 12, 1921 - August 17, 2012