Memorial Service

A CELEBRATION OF THE LIFE OF ROBERTA HERRPrelude – Dr. Hojun Lee, music director at Valley Presbyterian Church

Welcome & Opening Prayer – Ron Svendsen, Senior Pastor at Valley Presbyterian Church

Congregational Hymn (535) – O the Deep, Deep, Love of Jesus

Congregational Hymn (32) – Great is Thy Faithfulness

Statement of Roberta’s Faith – Heidelberg Catechism – Lead by Dan Kaiser, friend of the family

Question - "What is your only comfort in life and death?"

Congregation: “That I, with body and soul, both in life and death, am not my own, but belong unto my faithful Savior Jesus Christ; who, with his precious blood, has fully satisfied for all my sins, and delivered me from all the power of the devil; and so preserves me that without the will of my heavenly Father, not a hair can fall from my head; yea, that all things must be subservient to my salvation, and therefore, by his Holy Spirit, He also assures me of eternal life, and makes me sincerely willing and ready, henceforth, to live unto him.”

Story of Roberta’s Life

Roberta’s childhood – delivered by Jessica Roos, Roberta’s sister; Written by Jessica and Alice Beagles, Roberta’s mother (audio)

Roberta & Norm – delivered by Bob Brennan – friend of Roberta and Norm from the time of their first date at UC Irvine

The Herr Family – delivered by Lynne Anderson, friend of the family for many years

Reflections on Roberta’s Life & Legacy

Photos of Roberta’s life – Family photos over the years - Slide Show

Memories from Roberta's children -– delivered her oldest son, Stephen

Reflections on Roberta's life -– A summary of the many notes sent to Roberta in the last weeks of her life. Delivered by Roberta’s friend, Patti Kaiser

My beloved wife, Roberta – delivered by her loving husband, Norman

Scripture Reading -– Psalm 46, Romans 8. Delivered by Roberta’s youngest son, John

Message – delivered by Ron Svendsen, Roberta’s pastor for many years

Lord’s Prayer - Our Father who art in heaven, Hallowed be Thy name. Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from the evil. For Thine is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever. Amen.

Congregational Hymn (44) - How Great Thou Art!

Congregational Hymn (460) - Amazing Grace

Closing Prayer - Ron Svendsen

Benediction - Ron Svendsen

Roberta – A brief biography

Roberta was born to Robert and Alice Beagles in 1958, and lived her entire childhood with her parents and older sister, Jessica, in Pacific Palisades. Roberta had a serious congenital hearing loss, but with great determination became an extremely good lip-reader and excelled in school. She graduated from Palisades High School in 1975, and attended the University of California Irvine, and San Jose State University where she earned a degree in occupational therapy. Roberta married Norman Herr in 1981 at Palisades Presbyterian Church, and enjoyed 29 wonderful years of marriage.

During the early years of her marriage, Roberta worked as an occupational therapist at Huntington Memorial Hospital in Pasadena. Although she enjoyed her career, she said her most important job was that of wife and mother and was privileged to be an at-home mom. Christiana was born in 1986, followed by Stephen in 1988, and John in 1991. Roberta invested deeply in her children and received much joy from teaching her children and watching them grow physically, emotionally, intellectually, and spiritually.

Roberta was a very active member of Valley Presbyterian Church in North Hills, California. She had a deep concern for children and was involved in family and children's ministries for the past 24 years. Roberta was a quiet servant and friend who blessed many, many lives.

Roberta's favorite past-time was to be with her family, regardless of the activity. She had a deep appreciation for the out-of-doors, with a particular love for the ocean and mountains, and made many happy memories camping, hiking, and exploring with her family. Recently she acquired a great interest in European travel, primarily because her new son-in-law, Marten, is from the Netherlands.

After years of good health, Roberta suddenly learned that she had terminal cancer. She fully understood the doctor’s words and calmly said she had no fear of death, knowing she would spend eternity with God because of the work of her savior, Jesus Christ. Her final 20 days on Earth reflected her love for God and for her family and friends, and evidenced the peace she had in God’s promise of eternal life. Roberta will be deeply missed, but we will always remember her and look forward to a great reunion in heaven.

Memorial Donations

Memorial donations may be made to organizations that were dear to Roberta’s heart: Reformed University Fellowship (UCSB chapter) or Water Missions International (Uganda Country Project).

Memories of Roberta

A website has been made in memory of Roberta. Please consider sharing your memories of Roberta on it: robertaherr.com. Please note that more photos of Roberta, family, and friends will be forthcoming in the months ahead.

“… we know that the one who raised the Lord Jesus from the dead will also raise us with Jesus and present us with you in his presence.”

II Corinthians 4:14