Champaign, IL- Harvey Albert Hermann Jr., 82, passed away on Friday August 4, 2017 at Amber Glen Alzheimer's Special Care Center in Urbana, IL. He was born on August 26, 1934 in Chicago, IL to Harvey Albert and Lorraine (Lovett) Hermann Sr.  

Harvey was married to Yasue "Jean" Koiwai on February 6, 1957 in Yokohama Japan. They had two children, Yuki Hashimoto and Ted Hermann. They had one grandson Sean Hermann. Jean preceeded Harvey in death in 1985.

Harvey served in the United States Army Band stationed in Japan from 1954-59. During which time he held the solo clarinet position in the Far East Headquarters Band for four years and played principal clarinet with Tokyo ABC and Yokohama Symphony Orchestra.

In 1959 Harvey returned to complete his Bachelors of Science and Masters of Science in music education at the University of Illinois.    

For 32 years Harvey served on the U of I Bands faculty as the Woodwind Assistant to the Director. Harvey selflessly donated his time, energy and finances founding and establishing the Clarinet Choir, which was invited to play in Paris, France in 1981. He has been honored by the governor of Illinois and countless others. Harvey was the owner of Hermann Music giving private woodwind lessons for decades.

Harvey was a lifelong Chicago Cubs fan and attended many games with his son, Ted and grandson, Sean. He was also an avid camper and loved to primitive camp with his daughter, Yuki on their annual trips.

On February 11, 1989 Harvey married Sandra Lilly at the Harding Band Building while the U of I Band performed. Harvey and Sandra shared their mutual love of family, dachshunds and travel.    

Harvey is survived by his wife, Sandra Hermann ---    e-mail address @ sanandee@comcast.net --- brother Merrill Hermann of Darien, IL and children, Yuki Hashimoto of Everett, WA, Ted Koiwai (Jody Barnhill) Hermann of Davis, CA., Kelly (Brian) Willig of Terre Haute, IN, Shelly (Chris) of Woodlaw, IL; six grandchildren, Sean Hermann, Kyle Willig, Rachel (Brian) Marshall, Aaron Willig, Tyler Sledge, Tyson Sledge, and one great grandchild, Jamison Marshall.

Harvey has left a wonderful legacy through Harvey Hermann Music on the internet continued through his dear friend, Laura Bauer and Dan Freeman.

A celebration of Harvey's life will be held on Saturday, August 12, 2017 at Sunset Funeral Home, 710 N. Neil, Champaign, IL 61820. Memorial visitation will be held from 11am-1pm and the funeral will begin at 1pm. Interment will follow at Grandview Memorial Gardens. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations in Harvey's name may be made to the Alzheimer's Association www.alz.org . Please join his family in posting a guest book entry or in leaving a memory, or adding a photo and/or video on his tribute wall to be found @ www.sunsetfuneralhome.com


Two photos of Harvey and I in our York H.S. days together, 1948-1952.