Obit: Alvin Hergenrother, 92
Alvin Lincoln “Al” Hergenrother, 92, passed away peacefully Sunday, Feb. 25, 2018, in his home surrounded by his family after a short battle with cancer.
A memorial gathering for family and friends will take place at All Faiths Funeral Chapel, 4058 Lien Road, Madison, Saturday, April 7, 2018 from 1 to 3 p.m.
Born in Madison, WI, Feb. 12, 1926, Al graduated from Madison East High School and then enlisted in the US Army Air Corps during World War II. Upon his return, he studied at the University of Wisconsin–Madison before going to work for Chicago Northwestern Railroad, where he served as an engineer for nearly 40 years. Along his journey, he fell in love with Dorothy “Dottie” Mickey and married her a few days before Christmas in 1957. He lost his beloved Dottie in January 2009.
Al was best remembered as a loving father and grandfather who was always there to lend a helping hand. He was a man who could do anything he set his sights on doing, repairing any appliance, tackling any home improvement, and fixing just about anything that needed repair.
In addition to his handyman skills, Al was a natural musician with the ability to play any song by ear. He will be most remembered through his ability to entertain polka crowds with his concertina. Al played the concertina for his family and friends, and at numerous public functions. He was an avid fan of Mollie B. He was inducted into the World Concertina Hall of Fame in 2011. A video of Al playing at a dance can be viewed at http://youtube/39umDQXTbDU. He is on the left.
Al was an enthusiastic traveler who traveled from Alaska to New Zealand and many points in between, including Germany, from which his family emigrated.
Al is survived by his children, Linda Houseman, Rose (Dan) Dobski, Mary Falb, Jon (Dawn) Hergenrother, Tom (Becky) Hergenrother, Kay (Richard) Knepper, and Patrick (Jenny) Hergenrother; son-in-law, Rick Houseman; 12 grandchildren, and six great-grandchildren. He also leaves behind a very special friend and neighbor, Donna Cottrell.
