Herman Colvin

Mr. Herman Colvin was born on November 10, 1949, in Aliceville, Alabama. After graduating high school, he enlisted in the U.S. Air Force and moved to Nebraska in 1971, where he served as an intelligence analyst with the 544th Intelligence Squadron at Offutt Air Force Base. Following his honorable discharge after four years of service, Herman attended the University of Nebraska at Omaha, playing football and earning an education degree.

Herman began his career in public education in 1980, teaching at the secondary level and coaching football. Coaching was not just the X’s and O’s – his players learned lessons they would take with them throughout their lives. He taught the true meaning of team and brotherhood which has lasted years beyond their playing days. His career reached its pinnacle as principal of Northwest High School, where under his leadership, both student enrollment and achievement levels improved each year. After retiring in 2014 following 33 years of dedicated service, Herman continued to make an impact, stepping in as dean at Bellevue West High School during a pivotal time of transition.

In 2009, Herman’s commitment to community service took a new direction when he became an active member of the Offutt Advisory Council, a group that supports the more than 10,000 Soldiers, Sailors, Airmen, Marines, and Guardians stationed at Offutt Air Force Base. As an OAC board member, Herman became a tireless advocate for the men and women of Offutt, always striving to improve their quality of life and strengthen the ties between the military and local community. In addition to his board responsibilities, he served as co-commander of the 557th Weather Wing, collaborating with its leadership to ensure its 1,400 worldwide members had the resources they needed to conduct their mission.

Herman’s impact extended far beyond leadership and policy. He was instrumental in organizing and spearheading major community events that boosted morale and strengthened support for service members. Since 2013, he served as the director of the Offutt Appreciation Day Picnic, an annual event that welcomed approximately 15,000 military members and their families with free food, entertainment, and raffles. His strong community ties and dedication to the event’s success helped it grow each year, bringing in thousands of dollars in donations and offering countless activities for attendees.

In 2019, Herman launched Operation Giving Thanks, initially a small initiative to give away twenty turkeys, which grew into a large-scale effort providing over 250 turkeys and hams, as well as $50 gift cards, to Offutt families for both Thanksgiving and Christmas.

Due to his tireless efforts, Herman was selected as Offutt’s civilian representative on Air Combat Command’s Civic Leader Group in 2022. ACC, one of the U.S. Air Force’s nine major commands, oversees fourteen installations across the country. In this influential role, Herman advocated on behalf of the 55th Wing, the largest wing in ACC, and the 557th Weather Wing, the only weather wing in the Air Force.

For his selfless service to Offutt, Herman and his wife, Susan, were named 55th Wing Wingmen in 2023, a rare honor bestowed only once every four years by the 55th Wing commander to recognize civilians who make a significant impact on the base and its surrounding community.

Beyond his contributions to Offutt, Herman also left a lasting imprint on the Omaha Metro area. He served on the Bellevue Community Foundation, organizing a golf tournament and tailgate party as fundraisers to support organizations and projects that enhanced Bellevue. Through his efforts, the foundation raised more than $300,000, but that was not enough for Herman. He pushed the board to do more, which led to the annual Bellevue Rocks, Olde Towne Trick or Treat and Christmas Drive events, enabling the foundation to provide even more support to the community.

In addition to the Bellevue Community Foundation, Herman also served on the boards of several other prominent organizations. These included the Nebraska Greats Foundation, Omaha Home for Boys, Omaha Public Schools Foundation, and Westside State Bank. Like everything else Herman touched in his life, these foundations were more impactful and served the community with a greater sense of purpose due to his vision and leadership.

Without Herman’s unwavering dedication, many of these programs and traditions might not have existed or would have been far smaller in scale. His ability to bring people together in support of those who defend our nation was truly unmatched. Herman’s legacy of service, leadership, love of family, and community spirit will never be forgotten, and his presence will be deeply missed by all who had the privilege of knowing him.

To honor his legacy, the Herman Colvin Memorial Fund has been established. All proceeds will support the programs and initiatives at Offutt AFB that mattered most to him, ensuring his dedication lives on.

Your contribution is a meaningful way to celebrate the life of Herman Colvin and his tireless support for those who serve. Thank you for honoring his legacy. The memorial can be found at HermanColvin.givesmart.com.