6th Annual Herbie's Home Town Loop 2012

Jeremy Michael Herbstritt, a 1998 BAHS graduate, was pursuing a graduate degree in Civil Engineering at Virginia Tech when a lone gunman took his life on April 16^th, 2007.  Jeremy was a hardworking, ambitious young man with a unique passion for life.  He loved life and was full of it.  He had a passion for running marathons and other long distance races.  He enjoyed nature, kayaking down the Bald Eagle and Juniata Rivers, camping, planting a yearly vegetable garden, studying engineering, teaching, eating “fire in the hole chicken” wings from Bonfatto’s and hot fudge sundaes from the Twin Kiss.  He was proud of his family and friends and enjoyed spending time with them and boasting about their accomplishments.  Jeremy was certainly talkative.  There was never an awkward silence when he was around.  He was one of the nicest guys you could ever meet.  He was always willing to lend a helping hand.  If you needed a ride somewhere or a friend to talk to, you could count on him.  You would never hear Jeremy complain or make fun of those less fortunate than him.  He treated others with respect and dignity.  He was a true Christian; not someone who simply attended church on Sundays.  He was true to himself and others and certainly someone we all should aspire to be like.     

Jeremy attended Penn State after high school, obtaining a B.S. in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology with a minor in Chemistry in 2003.  In 2004, he returned to PSU to pursue a second B.S. in Civil Engineering.  He graduated with honors and went on to Virginia Tech in 2006 with the intention of pursuing an M.S. and PhD. in Civil Engineering. While at Virginia Tech, he worked as a teaching assistant and conducted valuable research on dams in the Roanoke River.   

Jeremy’s dreams were shattered on the cool, rainy morning of April 16th.   He had intentions that year of finishing a research project he had already started.  He had also planned on attending his youngest sister’s high school graduation, going on many weekend kayak and camping trips, attending two good friends’ weddings, persuading his younger brother to major in engineering and running another marathon with his oldest sister.  Those dreams were shattered; Jeremy was robbed of the opportunity to become an engineering professor, get married, start a family and to meet his nieces and nephews.  We hope that each of you will learn from Jeremy’s example, help us to continue his legacy, and help make this world a better, safer place.  We ask each of you to keep his spirit alive through the energy and passion of your daily activities.