Herbert ‘Herbie’ Westerlund

Herbert “Herbie” Arthur Westerlund passed away peacefully in his sleep on Monday, Oct. 19, 2020.

Herb was born July 6, 1922, to Arthur and Jennie Westerlund in Duluth, Minn., where he lived with his family until his service in the Army Air Forces (AAF) as a navigator on a B-17. His plane was shot down twice and he was a prisoner of war at Mauthausen until his release at the end of World War II. Herb received the Prisoner of War Medal.

Following his service in WWII, Herbert moved to Minneapolis. He and his family also lived in El Segundo, Calif., Cedar Rapids, Iowa, and Port Washington, Wis. Herb was an avid reader, lifelong learner and inventor of many things, including a concrete pump with Construction Forms, which he co-founded.

Herb moved to Houston and Round Rock, working with KiloWate in Georgetown. He built, tested and repaired the KiloWate 230 belt scale, built components required for the Legaloader and TrainWate and was considered the guru among his co-workers and friends.

Herb was a wise man of few words and many interests, including electronics, photography, music, books and telescopes.

We have many years of memories with Herbie including sweet times and real conversations around the Round Table.

Herb was preceded in death by his wife Hildegarde Ekvall Childers Westerlund, his daughter Judy Westerlund and mother of his children Ethel Giles Westerlund.

Herb is survived by many children, grandchildren, nieces and nephews including:

Carol (Tom) Werking of Port Washington, Wis.; Carmen and Erik; great-grandchildren Erica, Hans, Ethan, Katherine, Kelcey and Deszii; great-great-grandchildren Lilly, Willow, Stella and Noah.

Steve Westerlund (Maggie MacIntosh); Emma Westerlund (Mike Retzer), Patrick Westerlund of Minneapolis, Minn.

Janet Westerlund of Sanford, Mich., Greg Reiss; great-grandchildren Alexus, Josh, Alora, Aubrie of Sanford, Mich.

Tom (Daphne) Westerlund of Mount Dora, Fla.

Grandchildren Jacob and Vincent Zipter of Wisconsin.

Brother Bob Westerlund of Tennessee.

He is also survived by his bonus family including:

Pamela (Art) O’Mary of Oatmeal, Texas; Avery Kristinik (Jeff Brister), of Austin, Texas.

Marc (Mary Lou) Childers; Bradley Clinton, Tracy Anne and Stacy Lynn Childers of Georgetown, Texas

Brad Childers of Georgetown, Texas.

The family sends heartfelt thanks to the staff of Spanish Oak Assisted Living in Pflugerville as well as Heart to Heart Hospice for Herbie’s care and our support. A celebration of Herbie’s life will be held at a later date.

Special thoughts from family and friends:

Thanks for being a good friend, Herb.

To someone I greatly respect and admire.

Herbie was blessed with two loving families.

He never missed a Happy Hour!

Herb was a hero to me.

I had the privilege of being his caregiver for over three years. Some of our best and fun times with Dad were at the cocktail hour. One of his sayings was “some people will do anything for attention.”

I received my love of science and tinkering with machines from Dad. He was always tinkering and inventing things. It was in his shop in Wisconsin that I learned from him if you have a problem swearing will always work as a last resort. Good times. RIP Pops.

We are so blessed to have you in our lives all these years.

He was a wonderful and kind soul and one of the smartest people I’ve ever known. I am forever grateful that I knew him my whole life.

I miss you, Herb. You are not forgotten.