Herman Ravitch Obituary

Herman was born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania on May 3, 1929. His parents, who were of Jewish descent, immigrated to the United States from Poland. Herman spoke only Yiddish until he started school. He learned English at that time. He grew up in Philadelphia and loved playing stickball and other games in the streets of his South Philly neighborhood. Herman graduated from high school and then attended University of Pennsylvania. He got his Master's Degree from Columbia University in Mathematical Statistics. He married Shirley Berman in September of 1954. Shortly after his marriage he was drafted into the army. All of his military assignments were in the United States. Herman and Shirley had 3 children Julie Muehling, David Ravitch, and Barry Ravitch. Herman worked in the defense industry all of his working life. He retired from Peterson Air Force Base eighteen years ago. After he divorced his first wife, he married Lynn, whom he considered his soul mate. They were married for sixteen years until Lynn died in 2006. Herman always loved art and painted in watercolors, pastels, and did charcoal drawings. He had a showing of his art at the Fine Arts Center and had taken classes at Pikes Peak Community College. Herman was also passionate about acting. He played the Rabbi in a production of Fiddler on the Roof in Woodland Park. He was also an avid singer. He loved to sing. He was a regular at a the Embassy Suites karaoke on Saturday nights. He used to love cycling, aerobics, skiing with his daughter, and bowling. He traveled all over the world. He traveled to Israel to visit the homeland. He loved to go to synagogue every Saturday with his daughter who describes him as a very loving, compassionate and caring person. Herman is survived by his daughter, Julie Muehling and son-in-law Walt Muehling, his son David Ravitch and David's wifeYochevette, his son Barry Ravitch, and twelve grandchildren. Herman's service will be held at Temple Shalom, 1523 E. Monument St., Colorado Springs, Colorado, Friday, January 20th at 10:00 a.m. Burial will follow at Son's of Israel Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, contributions to Temple Shalom would be appreciated.