Herman Grant of Livingston, beloved husband, father, and grandfather, died peacefully at home on Monday,December2,2019,justsix weeks short of his 100th birthday. He was born January 11, 1920, in Herre, Norway.
At the young age of 12, and for the next ten years, Herman served in the Merchant Marine, commencing as a mess boy and then as a deckhand. During that time, he was torpedoed twice by German U-boats.
In 1942, after jumping ship in Brooklyn, New York, Herman joined the 99th Battalion, known as The Norwegian Ski Troops/ Special Forces. After training for two years at Camp Hale, Colorado, he participated in the invasion of Normandy, the Battles of Cherbourg, Caan, Falaise Pocket, and Canals in Holland, as well as the Battle of the Bulge.
From there, the 99th Battalion was sent to Norway for the German surrender. Herman was part of the troops that liberated Norway.
In Oslo, Norway, Herman met Karin Iverson at a USO dance. Married for 62 years, they began life in Brooklyn, New York, and moved to Livingston in 1962.
Herman’s skill, coupled with a disciplined work ethic, brought much success to his carpet and flooring business.
After retiring, Herman found a new passion for tennis. He was a fixture on the Livingston tennis courts and remained an avid player through his 98th year.
Herman shared his love of tennis with his grandson Bruce, who he looked forward to rallying with each summer. While spending time with family in Southampton, New York, Herman would end the day with birdwatching and a dip in the pool.
Predeceased by his wife, Karin, Herman leaves behind three children: Kenneth Grant, in Oslo, Norway; Harald Grant, in Southhampton, New York; and Mona Grant Newman in Basking Ridge. He also leaves behind seven grandchildren: Marius Grant, Thomas Grant, and Carl-Herman Grant; Bruce Grant and Alexa Grace Grant;andKatherineMaeNewman and James Grant Newman.
Herman was one of only three surviving ‘99er’s from World War II.
Services will be held Thursday, December 5, at 12 p.m. at Quinn-Hopping Funeral Home in Livingston.
God Bless our Veterans.
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