Herman Bax passed away at home of natural causes on August 31, 2021.

Herman was born in Heerlen, The Netherlands on July 12, 1933 to Willem Bax and Sylvia Jonkheer Bax. He was the second of four children and never really liked traditional school. For his post secondary education, Herman attended Autotechnische School in Apeldoorn, The Netherlands where he learned all there is to know about car mechanics.

Herman courageously immigrated by himself to Victoria, BC, Canada on April 5, 1959 – leaving all he knew behind for a new life in North America. He moved in with the Baarspul family upon arrival. Initially an annoyance to her, Herman was asked to teach the oldest Baarspul daughter, Lucy, to drive. One thing led to another, and Herman and Lucy eventually fell in love and were married on September 15, 1961.

On September of 1964, Herman and Lucy, and their newly born daughter Marlene, left Canada to move to Portland, Oregon. There they had two more children, Timothy (1966) and Daniel (1969). Herman and Lucy, along with their children, were charter members of Oak Hills Christian Reformed Church. Herman remained an active member up until the time of his passing – often volunteering to fix things for the church and for friends and family.

Herman loved to work with his hands and in 1964 began working for Portland Bottling Company as a mechanic, where he worked for the remainder of his career until he retired in 1998. Herman and Lucy loved retirement and took every opportunity to travel as many places as they could. They loved their grandchildren and enjoyed bringing them along on their travels. After Lucy passed in 2011, his love of travel didn’t end and he continued to travel with his new partner, Judy. They continued to be good friends and companions for the rest of Herman’s life.

Herman is survived by his sister, Tineke Bax, his brother, Dirk Bax (Ineke); his three children, Marlene Vandeburgt (Harv), Tim Bax (Deanna), Dan Bax (Wendy); seven grandchildren: Alicia Selander (Ben), Brittany White (Jordan), Caylia Richardson (Maxx), Phillip Bax, Elyse Bax, Ryan Bax, Jenna Bax and 9 great grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his wife of fifty years, Lucy (Baarspul) Bax, his parents, Willem Bax and Sylvia Jonkheer Bax, and his brother, Pim Bax.

A memorial service will be held on a future date at Oak Hills Christian Reformed Church, 2800 NW 153rd Avenue, Building B, Beaverton, OR 97006.