Businessman. As founder of Herr Foods Incorporated, he emerged as one of the top producers of snack foods within the industry. Raised on his family’s farm with his sibblings, he acquired skills during his teenage years which proved invaluable throughout his adult life in business. His empire began under humble conditions in 1946, when at the age of twenty-one with high aspirations, he purchased a tiny potato chip company in Lancaster, Pennsylvania. What Herr envisioned became a reality over the next decade, as he applied the fundamentals of hard work and the recognition of valued employees while providing high quality foods which resulted in large company growth. In 1958, several new potato chip flavors were introduced among them sour cream and cheddar, Pizza and the popular barbeque. In 1969, Herr was acknowledged as an innovative force in the industry as he was named Outstanding Pennsylvania Businessman of the Year by the Small Business Administration. He served for five years on the board of directors of the Worldwide Economic Development Team. In 1974, Herr began usage of the revolutionary foil bags in order to keep the foods freshness lasting longer. Product expansion followed during the 1970s and 1980s, as cheese curls, popcorn, pretzels and onion rings to name a few were added to their line. By the close of 1999, Herr’s sales had topped $100 million and more than 200 varieties of snacks were marketed nationwide. Herr remained chairman of the company until 2005, when his son James M. Herr succeeded him. He died from complications of pneumonia. (bio by: C.S.)