Robert E. Herman Charitable Trust

**Mission** To improve the lives of children, create opportunities for students, and enhance end of life care for the residents of North Dakota. **About the Foundation** Robert “Bob” E. Herman was a Williston, North Dakota businessman and owner of Herman Oil. He was born on December 8, 1934 in Olney, Illinois to local farmers Lawrence and Francis Shafer Herman. During his school years, he worked for his maternal grandfather in the family general store. There he acquired an interest in business and a strong work ethic. Mr. Herman came to North Dakota in 1954 during the first area oil boom and worked on the oil rigs for a number of years. He married in 1955, and he and his growing family lived in many area towns while in the oil field, finally settling in Williston. There he began his career of self-employment and started Bob’s Standard Service in 1964. He sold that business in 1975 and purchased the Amoco Bulk Plant. This venture eventually grew to two bulk plants and two convenience stores, one in Williston and one in Medicine Lake, Montana, both known to the area as Herman Oil. He continued these businesses and actively served the needs of his customers, both in the oil industry and farm agriculture, until he retired in 2011. He enjoyed his career and all of the relationships he cultivated over the years, with family always at the core of his happiness. Robert E. Herman died on October 26, 2013. His core beliefs in generosity and his encouragement for leadership in family and business will continue through the Robert E. Herman Charitable Trust for many years to come.