Dale F. Heermann
February 16, 2009

Dale was born in Scribner, NE on March 2, 1937 to Frank and Esther Heermann. He was raised in Scribner, NE graduating from Scribner High School in 1954 and married Betty Tuchenhagen July 21, 1957. He attended and received a B.S. in Agricultural Engineering from the University of Nebraska in 1959. After graduation, he entered the U.S. Air Force, serving as a First Lieutenant at Eglin AFB, FL and F.E. Warren, Cheyenne, WY from 1959 to 1962. After his military service, Dale attended Colorado State University (CSU) receiving his M.S. in 1964 and PhD in 1968, both in Agricultural Engineering. Following graduation he began his 37 year career with the USDA Agricultural Research Service. He retired from the USDA ARS in 2005 after a very satisfying and productive career
Dr. Heermann was recognized internationally as an authority on center pivot irrigation and precision farming, and was invited to Saudi Arabia, England, Netherlands, Israel, Portugal, Belgium, China, and Chile as an advisor. He was a member of four national academic honorary societies, and was recognized with many awards including the Irrigation Association "Man of the Year" in 1985; by CSU College of Engineering in 1988 as Alumnus of the Year; by American Society of Agricultural and Biological Engineers (ASABE) with the John Deere Gold Medal in 1990 and elected a society Fellow in 1991; by the U.S. Department of Energy in 1994 with a national Water and Energy Conservation Award. His hometown of Scribner, NE presented him their "Native Son" award in 1996; and the U.S. Secretary of Agriculture with the Secretary's Superior Service Award in 2002; the ASABE Hancour Soil & Water Award, 2005; University of Nebraska Hall of Fame Award, 2006. The ASABE endowed the Heermann Sprinkler Award in Dr. Heermann's name in 2007 to be awarded annually.
In addition to his professional career Dale faithfully served in several leadership roles at Peace with Christ Lutheran Church in Fort Collins, CO. He was also actively involved in the Fort Collins community through the South Fort Collins Sanitation District.
Dale's leadership, compassion, energy, generosity and eagerness to help will be greatly missed by those close to him. He was a witness and inspiration to many with his steadfast faith.
Dale is survived by his wife Betty, their three children and five grandchildren, daughter Sara (Jerry) Buchleiter, Rachel and Jonathan of Fort Collins, CO, Son Philip (Mae), Austin, Nathan and Laura of Albuquerque, NM, and daughter Laura (Patrick) Langford of Salt Lake City, UT. He is also survived by his sister Judy (Mike) Flynn of Omaha NE, his mother-in-law Louise Tuchenhagen, Fort Collins, CO and sister-in-law Joanne (Manis) Edwards of Wichita, KS. He is preceded in death by his parents, Frank and Esther Heermann, sister Dolores and his father-in-law Albert Tuchenhagen.
Memorials can be made to Peace with Christ Lutheran Church, the ASABE Heermann Sprinkler Award, or the Pancreatic Cancer Awareness Network (PanCAN) in care of Allnutt Drake Chapel, 650 W. Drake Rd. Fort Collins, CO 80526
Visitation will be held Thursday, Feb 26, 4-8pm at Scribner Funeral Chapel and one half hour before services. Funeral Services will be held Friday Feb 27 at 10:30 am at St. Peter's Lutheran Church 600 Baker St, Scribner. Interment immediately following will be at Scribner Cemetery.