Herman L. 'Pete' Desvousges, Veteran Of Three Wars, Dies At 93

Courtesy of Riggs Funeral Home

Herman L. Desvousges, "Pete," of Lanoka Harbor, formerly of Toms River, passed away Friday morning March 16, 2018 at Southern Ocean County Hospital. He was 93.

Known as "Pete" to his friends and family, he was the son of the late Leon and Mary (Short) Desvousges, he was born January 14, 1925 in St. Augustine, FL. Pete served as a Sp6 Army Helicopter mechanic during WWII, the Korean War and Vietnam.

He was a "Citizen of the World" during his 20 years in the military and traveled with his family to various installations from Hawaii to Europe. His last station was Lakehurst, New Jersey. Pete continued working on helicopters for several private contractors until retirement, with his favorite assignment in Yuma, AZ working on experimental aircraft.

Among his many interests, Pete loved learning and teaching others, gardening, and "tinkering" around the house fixing and repairing odds and ends. In the last three years, he lived life to the fullest with a daily exercise routine, monthly bus trips to Atlantic City with the Lacey Old Guard, participation in the American Legion, VFW, lunches at the Lacey Methodist Church. The highlight of his day was the nightly call to his sister. His caring, loving, nature will be missed. Pete was predeceased by his wife Ingeborg and his daughter Christel, his siblings Leon, George, John, Thelma and Louise.

He is survived by his three children, Monika and her husband Fred Sisbarro of Lanoka Harbor, son, Ingro Desvousges and his wife Eileen Murphy of Flemington and daughter, Jena Johnson and Craig of Beachwood; sister Mary Ev Stevens, St. Augustine, sister-in-laws Betty Desvousges, St. Augustine and Gisela Arendt, Germany.

He loved spending time with his grandchildren, Dana, Kristin, Peter, Crystal, Lauren, and Clinton and his nieces and nephews Linda Detrick and Cathy and Rob Connaway, St. Augustine, Tony and Mary Jane Coyne, Stewartstown, PA, Mary Stewart of Charleston, SC and Sabine Arendt, of Germany. Pete is fondly remembered by his good friend Jack Morrissey, Lithia, FL.

A viewing will be held from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. on Sunday, March 18 and from 9:30 a.m. until a 10 a.m. service on Monday at Riggs Funeral Home, 130 North Rt. 9, Forked River, NJ. Burial will follow at Ocean County Memorial Park in Toms River.

The family would like to express a sincere thank-you to the staff of Health South Rehabilitation and Southern Ocean County Hospital for their compassionate care of Pete. Pete always grew a large garden to be able to share his produce with others. Help him continue to feed others. Instead of flowers please donate to the Lacey Food Bank, 818 West Lacey Rd., Forked River, NJ 08731 or the Lacey United Methodist Church- Summer Lunch Program, P.O. 151, Forked River, NJ 08731.

Photo: Courtesy of Shutterstock