Herrmann, Lou Sanderson

Lou Sanderson Herrmann, 90, of Blacksburg, Va. died on December 24, 2018. She is survived by her children, John M. Herrmann and his wife, Pamela of Blacksburg; Marilyn Herrmann d’Auteuil and her husband, Tim, of Fort Worth, Texas; and grandchildren, Kayla and her husband, Marko Stuparevic, Jennifer, and Scott Herrmann; and Alexander and Arthur d’Auteuil.

Lou was born April 15, 1928 in Broken Bow, Nebraska to Wendell and Irene Sanderson. The family moved to Findley, OH and later to Richmond, VA.

After graduating from Thomas Jefferson High School, Lou attended Oberlin College where she received her Bachelor of Music Education from the Oberlin Conservatory of Music. In 1951 Lou married “the boy across the creek”, Thomas Herrmann.

Music and education were important themes in Lou’s life. She was a dedicated school teacher, orchestra director, and music educator working in the Arlington, Richmond and Henrico County schools. An accomplished instrumentalist, Lou played the viola in the Norfolk Symphony and was a charter member of the Richmond Symphony in 1957.

Tom and Lou retired to Blacksburg in 1988 to be close to family and to enjoy the beauty of the Virginia mountains. Retired but active, Lou was a member of the Montgomery School board and was proud to receive the Price’s Fork Elementary School’s First Annual Community Service Award. Lou was involved in musical events in Blacksburg, playing viola in the Summer Musical Enterprise productions and attending concerts of the Renaissance Music Academy of Music. She was a member of the Luther Memorial Lutheran Church.

Lou especially enjoyed time outdoors every day, hiking, swimming, canoeing, and gardening. In later years, as a resident of Kroontje HCC, highlights of her days included hearing visiting musical guest artists and walks with her friends to smell the roses, hear the birds and feel the sweet mountain air.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Luther Memorial Lutheran Church, the Renaissance Music Academy, or the Richmond Symphony.

A memorial service will be held at 11:00 a.m. Saturday, January 5th, 2019, at the Luther Memorial Lutheran Church. Graveside services will be held Saturday, December 29th, 2018 at Sherwood Memorial Park, Salem.