In Memoriam...

[John Ranes II CPF GCF]

Before the Wisconsin Chapter existed (1984) and long before their was a North Central Chapter (Minnesota), I was involved with the Upper Midwest Chapter and became an officer and board member for a number of years. Some of my earliest friendships in this industry started during that era, where I got to know Greg Perkins, Roger Nielsen, Burt Fosse and Paul Juhl among others.

During those great turnout years of the late 1970's and 1980's I got to know one framing couple from Rochester, MN, Vince and Mary Herring. They ran a most successful gallery and frame shop attached to their home, and they were the go to place in this middle sized city. Testimony to their great quality and service was that in order to get to their business, you had to leave the city limits heading south on HWY 63, cross over this divided highway and drive up a steep private road about 2,000 yards to reach their business! (Remember this in Minnesota where the winter's are infamous!)

The Herrings sold their business, Herring Art & Frame in 2006 after 34 years and retired. They won a number of PPFA framing awards in the 1980's. Sadly Vince passed away on Feb 14th at 70 years of age - in peak physical fitness. In his retirement, he continued his passion for swimming averaging 7 miles a day. Vince had a great heart, big smile and wonderful sense of humor...

I recall one PPFA Chapter meeting in October when members showed up in costume. Vince, Mary and one of their children all arrived with butcher hats and aprons on. Around their necks were strings of sausages links... made from picture frame mouldings of course.

Farewell Vince.

Obituary - Vince Herring - Star Herald

 

[Rob Markoff]

John-

Thanks for posting this. My thoughts and prayers go out to Mary and the Herring family.

I remember Vince and Mary. Guess I am a member of the old timer's club too.

 

[Sue Davis]

In Memoriam

We just learned about Vince yesterday from Greg Perkins. I was involved with the local PFFA for a number of years in the 80s and 90s and Vince and Mary were two of the nicest people you could ever meet. John, thanks for posting this so others can see it. Vince has been missed in the framing community since he sold the shop and retired....but he'll be missed by many more who knew him in his other areas of interest. His swimming buddy will miss him more than most, and of course, his family.
RIP, Vince. You filled a lot of rooms with your laughter, jokes and smiles.

Sue Davis, CPF
Master Framers

 

[Ellen Collins MCPF]

Vince was a fascinating man to talk to. The world is a little darker with his passing.... RIP, Vince.

 

[Greg Perkins]

Thank You Vince!

John, thank you for starting this thread.

I was blessed to have known Vince Herring. He was one of those seemingly ordinary guys who didn't seek attention or praise, although he, more than most, was worthy of it. He was always positive and had a smile on his face. In addition to owning and operating a successful framing businss with his wife Mary, Vince was a devoted family and church man. I always respected that the Vince I knew was the exact same person everyone else knew. He was totally himself no matter who he was with or where he was. I also never saw Vince being judgemental of anyone when there were circumstances when he certainly could have been.

It is such a blessing that Vince and Mary were able to sell their business and enjoy "retirement". Of course, neither of them found time to sit around. A passion they shared was gardening. Their acreage features a variety of gardens and water features that rival botanical gardens peple pay good money to visit. They hosted visitors from all over who came to see their creations. They also were fortunate to fit in many wonderful trips to destinatons around the globe, often in conjunction with one of Vince's swimming competitions.

It was a huge shock when Mary called to let me know Vince had passed away. You think of someone who is that physically active as being more invincible than others, but it was his time. He died on his 70th birthday. Their family was not able to all get together to celebrate so they had gotten together the week before instead. Mary said Vince had the time of his life. Not a bad way to go. RIP Vince.