James Herber, Banker and Veteran, Dies

James Frederick Herber, 86, a Lake Forest banker, veteran of two wars and a 52-year Lake Forest resident, died Tuesday, according to information from Wenban Funeral Home.

Starting his career in his father’s Longmont, CO, bank Herber moved to Lake Forest in 1961. He joined the First National Bank of Lake Forest which later became Northern Trust Company. He worked there for more than 30 years.

Herber owned a historic cottage in Lake Forest and was proud of it and the flower gardens that surrounded it, according to Wenban.

Born October 8, 1926, in Seattle, Herber moved with his family to Longmont in 1939. After serving as an enlisted man in the Army Air Force with the occupation forces in Germany in World War II, he returned home to graduate from the University of Colorado. After graduation, he became an officer in the United States Marine Corps and served in Korea.

Not only did Herber follow in his father’s footsteps as a banker, he had a rich tradition of military service in his family on two continents including the American Civil War.

Herber’s paternal grandfather served five years in the Czar’s Russian Army before coming to the United States with his wife in the 1890’s.  His maternal great-great-grandfather served with the Confederate Army in the Civil War.  That grandfather married a member of the Cherokee tribe and Herber was always proud of his Native American heritage.

Herber is survived by his wife Carrol, sons Jon (Barbara), Robert (Annette), William (Robin), daughter Kathryn, eight grandchildren and Carrol’s children, Amy (Kevin) and Brad.

An Evensong service will be held at 5 p.m. June 9 at the Church of the Holy Spirit in Lake Forest. A reception will follow at the church.

For more information, please contact Wenban Funeral Home (847-234-0022 or www.wenbanfh.com). In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the Altar Flowers Fund, Church of the Holy Spirit, Lake Forest.

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