Obituaries

Herbert J. Prange, Jr.

Sep 9th, 2015

Herbert J. Prange, Jr.
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PRANGE – Herbert J. Jr., 84 of Yarmouthport died Wednesday September 9, 2015.
 
He was the husband of Wendy (Cushing) Tann Prange for 31 years.   
 
Born in Boston, Herb spent his formative years with his parents and sister, Priscilla in South Weymouth.  He attended and graduated from South Weymouth High School and Boston University, attaining Dean’s List recognition, graduating with highest honors and majoring in psychology.  The family moved to Sacramento, CA where he further studied at California State University.
  
Like his father before him, Herb was an accomplished alto and tenor saxophonist in both classical, contemporary and jazz music.  He could play any wind/reed instrument as well as the piano and later the keyboard.   The  Big Band era, was his favorite music genre and for many years he played in dance bands throughout Massachusetts to cover his BU tuition expenses.  
 
After initial army training, Herb was immediately transferred to Scofield Barracks, Honolulu, HI where he was later joined by his young wife and their new baby daughter, Valerie.   During that tenure, he was awarded high honors for his prowess as a marksman and received a citation for the Army Commendation Ribbon/Medal Pendant for outstanding service. 
 
Herbert was extremely witty, studious, highly intelligent, very well read and throughout his life took immense joy in reading the classics, in particular, Marcel Proust, Machiavelli, etc. Yet in direct contrast he was an avid fan of the Simpsons; in his opinion, the wittiest comedic TV writing.    His favorite  author was John Updike and every book was slowly and thoroughly digested with utmost vigor and enjoyment.  He was a frustrated journalist and poet with  several  publishings.  Throughout his life he maintained a list of his past and current readings.    Herb was an excellent swimmer, learning at an early age in the quarries surrounding Weymouth and during his childhood summers spent with his grandparents, Calvin and Leonora Stephens, in their summer home “Aunt Thankful’s Cottage” on Depot Road in Truro.    He loved the cold waters of the National Seashore and when he was not at the one-room schoolhouse in Eastham, which at one-time both he and his sister Priscilla attended, spent his time exploring and fishing throughout those idyllic summers with his maternal grand folk.   In later life, in addition to fishing, Herb was an avid golfer and charter-member of the King’s Way Golf Club until 2013 when, due to catastrophic illness and major surgeries, he was forced to forego his leisure passion.
 
He met the love of his life, Wendy Cushing Tann, in England in 1980 while they were both working for Sperry Corp. UK HQ, in Cobham, Surrey.    They  were married in Toledo, OH on March 27, 1984 making their  first home in Royal Oak, MI.  In 1986 they moved to Rochester Hills, MI  and finally retired in 2000 to Kings Way, Yarmouthport.  Throughout their marriage they wintered in Vero Beach, FL where they loved to golf, swim and ballroom dance.  Herb  continued with an illustrious career and travelled the world for Sperry Vickers Hydraulic Engineering HQ, Troy, MI  as their  Regional Manager for the Far East, Latin America, Australia and New Zealand for the Sperry Vickers  Human Resources.  He had a world-wide reputation for implementing the Hay System of benchmarking and pay scale which was used in most Fortune 500 companies.  With his tremendous writing talent, he became the best resume and job description writer, second to none.     
 
In addition to his beloved wife, Herb is survived by two daughters, Valerie Matthews and her family of Lancaster, PA, and Louise Prange Miller and her family of Shamong, NJ; five grandchildren, Danielle, Kristen, Samantha,  Andrew, and Nicholas; two great grandchildren, Chase and Brady; and a loving sister, Priscilla Sullivan of Diamond Springs, CA. 
 
Funeral services will be private in Snow Cemetery, Truro.  
 
As an expression of sympathy, memorial donations may be made to the Animal Rescue League of Boston, 3981 Main St., Brewster, MA 02631. 
 
Arrangements by Hallett Funeral Home, South Yarmouth. www.hallettfuneralhome.com.

Guest Book

Rita Todd and. Joe Morris
#3
Sunday - Sep 13, 2015 12:00 am

Dear Wendy. We just learned of Herbs death. We are on the road to Jekyyl Island. We are now in Virginia. We are so sorry. Please accept our condolences. Love Rita and Joe

Malcolm Durant
#2
Sunday - Sep 13, 2015 12:00 am

It is with great sadness that we received the news that Herb had succumbed to cancer. We both worked for Sperry Vickers for many years - Herb in the USA and Europe and myself in Australia and the Far East. While Herb was always well versed on the competitive/political situation within the corporation, he never allowed this to compromise his advice/assistance as a Human Resources Manager. He proved over a long period to be extremely competent and reliable colleague and friend. Herb truly was one of the Good Guys!

Roz & Dan
#1
Saturday - Sep 12, 2015 12:00 am

Beautifully written as he was a beautiful person. We are always here for you Wendy! All our love and sympathy, Roz & Dan

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