Condolence: Herbie's Eulogy
Linda Wiegenfeld

Today is 5 years since Herbie died. I would like to post the eulogy that I said 5 years ago:

I’ll always remember what a wonderful man he was.

My name is Linda Wiegenfeld and I was Herbie’s fiancée. I met Herbie in 1984, almost a third of a century ago, and I have been blessed ever since.
It is often the case that good people are not appreciated until they are a memory. That is not true for me. I knew how lucky I was. We were soul mates who really enjoyed our time together.

One time we were in a very romantic restaurant overlooking the water. We looked around and saw several couples on the cell phone. Herbie remarked how foolish those other people were for not being in the moment and enjoying what they had.

Herbie and I lived independent lives but it suited us well. And what fun it was to share. The thing that I’ll remember most is laughing together – it made whatever we had to face so much more bearable. Herbie’s playfulness was a very endearing trait.

Herbie was a very well -respected retired CPA but his passion was backgammon. He was the president of the New England Backgammon Club and had been ranked among the world’s finest players. He thought a lot about the correct strategy to use, sometimes in the strangest of places. One time we were in a temple at a wedding and I saw him staring intensely at the prayer book. Not quite Herbie’s style. On closer look, I saw he had taped backgammon position cards inside the book. That was Herbie, also proud to be known to his friends as the propmeister.

Herbie was a very caring person who was well regarded by his friends and family. In all our years together, I never came across a person who disliked him. He listened well and provided excellent advice. He will be sorely missed.

Herbie suffered terribly in his last days, and I sensed both his pain and his bravery. If there is an afterlife which is better than this earthly realm, he has certainly earned his rest.

I thank God for the time I shared with Herbie. He was taken from me too soon but I wouldn’t trade my time with him for anything. His memory will stay with me forever.

Condolence: I first met Herb around 1990, likely at a backgammon tournament somewhere in New England. Herb combined a studious focus on the game with a good sense of humor. He was bright, sincere...someone I always considered a friend. I'll miss you, Herb.

Condolence: Herbie was a very special man, always welcoming and ready for a hug and a laugh. He had a calm strength, a voice of reason and good sense. We will miss his companionship and cheer at our dinners together with Linda. We know that his death is a tremendous and irreplaceable loss to Linda, his father, his sister and his family. We grieve with them.