Walter S. Herrick, Jr.

Walter S. Herrick, Jr., of Huntley, passed away unexpectedly on Friday, December 4, 2020 at the age of 70.  He was born February 24, 1950 in Elgin, the son of the late Walter S. Sr. and Elaine (nee Barski) Herrick.

Walt is survived by his loving wife, Laurie (nee Switzer); sons, Paul and David Herrick, Josh (Jenny) Krepel, and daughter Heather (RJ) Kuligowski; grandchildren, Lily, Hailey, Noah, Owen, Myles, Avery, Myka and Madeline; siblings, Skip Herrick, Kathy Herrick (Kathleen Heyworth), Susan (Gary) Riegler, Barbara (Tim) Smith and Robert (Perla) Herrick; and his many nieces and nephews.

Learning tennis at an early age, Walt lettered in both tennis and basketball, graduating from Crystal Lake Community High School in 1968. He also lettered four years at Indiana University where he received his BS in education. He continued to play competitive tennis following graduation including father/son tournaments with his father Walt Herrick Sr. Along the way, Walt began teaching tennis as a USPTA Tennis Professional in Barrington, Cincinnati, where he earned his MBA from the University of Cincinnati, and finally at the Racket Club in Crystal Lake. For 30 years he taught tennis at the Racket Club, advancing to managing the Racket Club and overseeing the entire tennis program for the Crystal Lake Park District. He was very proud to have received the NISRA Community Service Award for his many years of dedication.

Walt was also a very active model railroad enthusiast. While belonging to several model railroading clubs he designed and built multiple railroad "layouts" also fabricating scenery, structures, buildings and detailed towns and rail yards. When not working on his own projects, he helped other members with their modeling and the running of their railroads. In addition, he wrote numerous articles and contributed photographs for various model railroad publications.

A memorial gathering for Walt will be held Saturday, October 9, 2021 beginning at 1:00 p.m. with sharing of memories and light refreshments served at The Racket Club of Crystal Lake, 9101 S Illinois Rt 31, Algonquin, IL 60102.

Donations may be made in Walt’s memory to the Herrick-Thomas Foundation, PO Box 407, Crystal Lake, IL 60039.