Ertwin Jones-Hermerding inspired hundreds of students

The teacher, coach and drama director in Robbinsdale is remembered as "the best teacher you could ever want."

By TIM HARLOW, Star Tribune

Last update: August 12, 2009 - 8:51 PM

A longtime speech communication and drama teacher and football coach in the Robbinsdale Area School District died Tuesday evening when the motorcycle he was driving on a northern Minnesota highway veered into a ditch and crashed.

Ertwin Jones-Hermerding, 62, of Otter Tail, was driving southbound on Hwy. 78 about 6 miles south of Hwy. 10 when his 2007 Honda motorcycle went into a ditch on the west side of the road around 6 p.m., went over a driveway and landed on another driveway, the patrol said.

There were no other vehicles involved in the crash, which happened on a curve in the road that Jones-Hermerding's sister-in-law, Sue Dahl, called a "bad spot" Still, it's unclear why he went into the ditch, she said.

"We don't know if he had a heart attack or just hit some gravel," Dahl said.

Jones-Hermerding, who was wearing a helmet at the time of the crash, was on his way home after he had spent the day riding. It was something he often did after he retired from teaching in 2003 and moved to Otter Tail County, she said.

"The retirement home was his dream home," she said. "This is where he wanted to be."

Jones-Hermerding graduated from Augsburg College and began teaching in the Robbinsdale School District in 1969. He taught speech, theater, literature and acting courses at Plymouth Middle School and at Robbinsdale Cooper High School during his 34 years in the district.

"He was an amazing man who was full of life," said Kate Fetterly, a 2003 graduate of Robbinsdale Cooper High School. "He was the kind of guy who got to know you, your background and he'd ask you about it every day. He was like the best teacher you could ever want. Many named him as their favorite teacher."

Jones-Hermerding, known to many as Herm, directed more than 90 theatrical productions at Plymouth Middle School and more than 50 productions at Cooper. The shows involved hundreds of students, including actor Steve Zahn and "Mad TV's" Mo Collins. His successful drama programs led the Children's Theatre Foundation of America to recognize him and the district with an award in 1995.

Jones-Hermerding brought the same passion he had for teaching and directing plays to the football field, said John Oelfke, a friend and current activities director at Cooper. Jones-Hermerding was "a huge motivator" for the kids who played on his teams at Cooper and Plymouth Middle School. He was named the 1984 Lake North Conference coach of the year and directed the Hawks to conference titles in 1984 and 1985, Oelfke said.

"There are a thousand people who Herm touched and changed," said Erick Norby, an assistant principal at Plymouth Middle School who had Herm as a teacher, drama director and football coach at Cooper. "He always brought passion, care and love to the classroom. He cared about everyone who crossed his path -- student, actor, player or person -- and he always wanted you to get better."

Jones-Hermerding was given a 2003 Distinguished Alumni Award from Augsburg College in Minneapolis, where he graduated in 1969 with a B.S. degree in liberal arts, speech, theater and physical education.

Word about his death has spread rapidly on Facebook, and former students have planned a memorial gathering at 7 p.m. Friday at Robbinsdale Cooper High School, 8230 47th Av. N., New Hope.

"He was an inspiration to all of us. He was passionate about his job and all of us, not just as students, but as people. We really mattered to him," said former student Angela Hanson.

Funeral services are pending, the family said.

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