Herman J. Washington was born on June 29, 1937, as was his twin brother, Paul. His parents, along with his three younger sisters (which included another set of twins), lived in Cumberland, MD, where his father worked for the B&O Railroad for 50 years while his mother tended to the family. Herman graduated from the last segregated high school in Cumberland in 1955 and was awarded a scholarship to Howard University. While there, he played clarinet and alto saxophone in the marching band and ran cross-country. Due to circumstances beyond his control, he could not attend college during his sophomore year. His brother had joined the U.S. Air Force, so in 1956, he did too.

Herman had an easy time in basic training at Lackland AFB, TX, not only because of the cross-country team but also because he rode a bike on the boardwalk in Atlantic City where he worked his last summer before the military. He had a 13-inch neck and a 28-inch waist!

He trained as a weather observer at Chanute AFB in Illinois. His first duty assignment was to Dover AFB, Delaware, where he was reminded that weather observation was a 24-hour-a-day job. Herman's next assignment was to Ramstein AFB, GE, which he loved. He traveled when he could and visited Germany, Paris, Amsterdam, and Spain. Being a musician, he attended numerous concerts and met tenor saxophonist ‘extraordinaire’ Stan Getz in Amsterdam. He also was able to see Count Basie in concert! From 1961-1964 he was assigned to Selfridge AFB, MI, where he met his wife, Rosemary. They were married on November 3, 1962.

In 1965 Herman spent a year in Korea on an Army aviation compound. U.S. Air Force weathermen were used to support the flights of airplanes and helicopters. The weathermen wore Army uniforms with Air Force ranks. He enjoyed this assignment.

From 1966-68, Herman was stationed at Lockbourne AFB, Ohio. He then attended Chief Observer School at Chanute AFB for one year, which was a permanent change of station. From March of '69 to October of '70 Herman was stationed at Duluth Air Force Station, MN, where he worked at the National Weather Service Office. He was then sent to weather forecaster school back at Chanute AFB from 1970-71. As a result of that school, Herman was assigned as a weather forecaster at Kirtland AFB, New Mexico. While there he gave 'over-the-counter briefings' to pilots who were not allowed to take off until they had a weather briefing! Two of those pilots were astronauts - Edward Mitchell and Michael Collins, who had been to the moon.

In January 1973, he attended the Military Airlift Command NCO Academy at Norton AFB, San Bernardino, CA, where each student had to give a speech. He had trouble coming up with a topic, so he started a hobby in photography. He not only took photos but developed them too, both black and white and color! This made for an easy speech.

In 1973 he was given a three-year assignment to Ramey AFB, Puerto Rico. He and his family, which now included two daughters, Joyce and Cathleen, were excited about this move. But, before his car even arrived in Puerto Rico, the U.S. Air Force decided to close the base. At least he was able to experience tropical weather forecasting and the family toured the island before it closed. He gave the last weather forecast for the base.

Herman and his family were finally able to settle down for four and a half years at Williams AFB in AZ where giving pilots weather briefings was his main focus. In 1974 he was sent TDY to Craig AFB in Selma, AL, where he enjoyed a bicycle ride across the Edmund Pettus Bridge. In 1976, he was sent TDY to Mather AFB in Sacramento, CA. He was certified as a forecaster at both bases and promoted to Master Sergeant at Mather AFB.

While at Williams AFB he met Lieutenant Pete Peterson, who later became a U.S. Air Force Thunderbird pilot. As a Captain, Peterson was one of the four Thunderbirds killed in a crash in Nevada in 1982.

In 1977, Herman was assigned as an Air Force Advisor to the 105th Air National Guard Weather Flight at Selfridge AFB, MI. He was certified as a weather forecaster there, and when he retired in October 1979 with 23.5 years of service, he was hired as a civilian federal weather forecaster. He worked at Selfridge for six years and then seven years in Cleveland, Ohio, with the National Weather Service until he completely retired in 1999.

During his time in the U.S. Air Force, Master Sergeant Herman earned an associate degree in applied science. Herman loved retirement and traveling with Rosemary around the country. They lived in and traveled through 35 states and crossed the U.S. twice. They also enjoyed the ocean and spent their vacation time on 15 cruises. After 59 years of marriage, Rosemary passed away as a result of illness.

Herman moved into AFRH-W in 2017. His wife was an excellent cook, so we don't have to tell you how he feels about the food here! Health problems have slowed him down, but he is very pleased with the care from our Wellness Center. He still manages to win at bingo regularly, attends the special programs in the community center, and enjoys watching movies.