Obituary of Bill Herkner

George William "Bill" Herkner Bill Herkner, 77, of Basking Ridge, NJ and Buck Hill Falls, PA passed away on Tuesday, February 12, at his home. Bill was born on February 15, 1935 to Sue Fishburn and George William Herkner, Sr. in South Orange, New Jersey. A longtime resident of New Jersey, Herk was graduated from Millburn High School in 1953 and then from Cornell University where he earned a B.A. in Economics and a Minor in Political Science. Bill loved trains and actually began his railroad career as a summer employee of the Delaware, Lackawanna and Western Railroad in 1954. Even in high school, Bill used to walk to the Short Hills train station in the evening just so that he could watch the trains come in! He worked for the DL&W each summer break holding jobs ranging from Baggageman, Train Clerk, Conductor, and Yard Clerk. Immediately following graduation, Bill entered the Lackawanna's formal management training program. During his nearly fifty year career in the transportation industry, Bill worked for the Lackawanna, Erie Lackawanna, Conrail, and in 1980, when NJ Transit was formed, he became New Jersey Transit's Deputy Director of Rail Operations. Bill was fortunate to work in an industry that he loved and where he forged lifelong friendships with many of his colleagues. Bill retired in 2002 as the Director of Rail Contract Administration for New Jersey Transit. Bill spent his summers in Buck Hill with his family and friends, but whenever he and his beloved wife Barbara traveled, they either took the train or made a point of exploring the nearby rails. Bill, known as "Herk" to his family and many friends, was a devoted husband and father, grandfather, a member of the Lackawanna R&L Historical Society, an avid bridge player and bird watcher, and a lover of history. He leaves his family and friends a legacy of kindness, humor, and love without peer. Bill is survived by his wife Barbara Herkner of Basking Ridge; Doug and Joyce Herkner, his brother and sister-in-law; four children, Michael, Kathy, Tim, and Elizabeth; his niece and nephew, Joelle and Mickey, and nine grandchildren: Michael, Jimmy, Eva Lou, Gabriel, Ceci, Charlie, Chris, Ben, and Clara. Visitation services will be held at the Gallaway and Crane Funeral home, 101 South Finley Avenue in Basking Ridge from 2pm-5pm on Monday, February 18, 2013. Funeral services will be held at St. James Roman Catholic Church at 184 South Finley Avenue, Basking Ridge at 11 a.m. on Tuesday, February 19, 2013. For any further information please contact Gallaway and Crane Funeral home at (908)766-0250, or visit our website at www.gcfuneralhome.com.