FREDERICK WALTER HERBST, 87, a longtime summer and later a permanent resident of OCEAN GROVE, died on Good Friday, April 10, 2009. Born on July 8, 1921, in Hoboken, Fred was the proud 1944 valedictorian graduate of the United States Merchant Marine Academy at Kings Point, NY. He went to sea during World War II, serving on a number of ships as an engineer. Fred also graduated from the Newark College of Engineering where he received a mechanical engineering degree.
He married Marie Nixon on August 29, 1947. After the war, Marie and Fred started a family and he began his engineering career at the International Nickel Company in New Jersey. He later transferred with INCO to Huntington, West Virginia for several years before returning to Ocean Grove and joining J.R. Smith, Inc. as its General Manager. He played a major role in leading and developing the company for 27 years, including engineering their move to Montgomery, Alabama, where he lived for many years before retiring and returning again to Ocean Grove. Fred gave freely of his time in many volunteer efforts, including The Alabama Shakespeare Festival, where he was recognized as Montgomery's Volunteer of the Year. He was active with Ocean Grove's Boy Scout Troop 41, Neptune High School Musical Theater, the Ocean grove Citizens Patrol and most recently, the Jersey Shore Arts Center.

A member of St. Paul's United Methodist Church, Fred also gave generously to many deserving causes in Ocean Grove. A longtime member of the Ocean Grove Fishing Club, Fred cherished his time on the pier, fishing, talking with friends, and especially teaching kids how to fish on Tuesday mornings for many summers. He was predeceased by his brothers, August and Edward, and by his sister, Martha. He is survived first and foremost by his loving wife of 61 years, Marie Nixon Herbst, by his daughter, Cynthia, and son-in-law, Allan Chapman of Ballston Spa, NY, by his son, Eric Herbst, and daughter in law Denise Keller of Bellville, Texas and by his grandchildren, Carrie Chapman of Brooklyn, James Ingram Chapman of Albany and Jaclyn Herbst and Andrew Herbst, both of Bellville, Texas. He is also survived by his sister-in-law Louise Nixon and his brother, Herb, both of Ocean Grove. Friends were invited to call at the Ocean Grove Memorial Home, 118 Main Avenue, Ocean Grove, on Tuesday from 4:00 - 8:00 PM. A funeral service was held on Wednesday, at 11:00 AM at the funeral home, with Rev. Walter Quigg officiating. In lieu of flowers, the family would appreciate donations to the Jersey Shore Arts Center, PO Box 55, Ocean Grove, NJ 07756.