Herman Vinokur

Herman Vinokur died peacefully on the evening of May 18, 2025. We lost a selfless, kind, intelligent, loving, silly human at 96 years old. He is survived by his daughter Debby Kaminsky (Howard) who called her dad, her pal and his cherished grandchildren Kate and Molly who called him Mr. Fix-it as he could fix anything—quite appropriate for an engineer. Herman was salt of the earth. Everyone who knew him or met him for the first time would always say the same thing: “He’s the nicest, sweetest, most handsome guy.”

Herman was an athlete who at 5’9” played basketball for Yeadon High School and was named the school’s most valuable athlete. Before college he was in the army and then went to Penn State where he met the love of his life, his wife Rose.

Herman always put kindness first. One day he was walking in Philadelphia and ran across the street to help a blind person he spotted, walk across. His strength at 96 was close to superhuman and those who shook his hand experienced it. As Herman’s dementia progressed, Debby would always end her phone call with “I love you dad.” He responded by saying “reverse” which he thought was hysterical.

Dad, we will forever miss you; yet will never forget our endless memories. You lived a long, wonderful life, leaving us peacefully to join your main squeeze, Rose in heaven. Have fun. Try to find a place as beautiful as the Wissahickon/Valley Green to take your walks together and find a candy store to fill that sweet tooth of yours.

Shiva will be observed 5-8pm Sunday, May 25th 11 Sichel Ct. West Orange, NJ. Minyan 6pm.

To honor Herman, donations in his memory may be made to Friends of the Wissahickon/Valley Green at https://fow.org/membership-donations/donate/

Arrangements by Joseph Levine & Sons - Blue Bell