Herman Wellington Witthoft Sr. passed away on Sunday, October 31, 2010 at Livingston Manor Nursing and Rehabilitation Center. He leaves behind his wife of 57 years, Doris E (DeVane) Witthoft, children Melissa A. Witthoft of Danbury, CT, Maria E Hare of Elbridge, NY, Marta Witthoft of Rockport, MA, C. Martin Witthoft III of Chatham, NY and Hymie (Herman) W. Witthoft, Jr. of Dakar, Senegal and his wife Brandy. He and Doris have 7 grandchildren: Jake, Ryan, and Rachel Hare, Svea and Saima Sherman, Carter and Miles Witthoft and Millie Witthoft. He is survived by his brother, Rev Chuck (Charles) M. Witthoft Jr. and his wife, Suzanne and sisters Ruth Glass, Martha Kopra and her husband Tom Gretzinger, Peggy Hatch and husband Doug, Florence Hulsizer and husband Bob, and sister in law Marilyn (DeVane) Martin and her husband Edwin; Herman was also uncle to 19 nieces and nephews. Herman was born on June 23, 1926 in the Bronx, NY and grew up in East Schodack, NY. He graduated from Columbia High, School, he received his Bachelor's degree from Wittenberg University in Ohio where he was a member of the Phi Mu Delta Fraternity, and received his Master's degree from SUNY Albany. He spent 35 years with the State of NY in the Department of Equalization and Assessment as Senior Principal Appraiser. He was a lifelong member of Christ our Emmanuel Lutheran church where he served in a variety of roles in the church which was founded by his wife's ancestors and where his father ministered. During WWII, he served in the Pacific Theater and became a member of the American Legion Post 42 in Chatham where he served as adjutant and was a member of the Veteran's of Foreign Wars in Ghent. Upon his retirement, he pursued his hobby in genealogy research and subsequently published 7 books on Palatine ancestry. He was Secretary and resident Genealogist for the Kilts Family for many years and his books are seen as the authoritative guides for Kilts family genealogy. He was also a member of the Sons of the American Revolution for which he contributed genealogical research. He was a "friend of Bill W" for 35 years and was proud of his continuing commitment to his recovery from alcoholism. Herman's passion for music was also seen in his longtime membership with the Ghent Band where he served for many years as a trumpet player, conductor and concertmaster. He also was the founding member and leader of the Bavarian Pretzels, an authentic German music band which performed at festivals across the Northeast. Herman was also an avid gardener. He was an early pioneer of organic gardening and grew a variety of vegetables along with hops imported from his ancestors' farms in the Mohawk Valley. Calling hours will be at the Wenk Funeral Home, 21 Payn Avenue, Chatham on Friday, November 5 from 6-8 pm. Herman's funeral service will be held at Christ Our Emmanuel Lutheran Church in Chatham, on Saturday, November 6 at 2 pm; a private interment will be held at a later date. The family thanks Anne Smith for her many years of loving service and the staff of Livingston Manor for their kind ministrations during Herman's last years. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that contributions be made in memory of Herman's name to Christ Our Emmanuel Lutheran Church, Park Row, Chatham, NY. For on-line condolences, visit wenkfuneralhome.com .