Bret Eugene Herrmann

“There's a blaze of light in every word; It doesn't matter which you heard the Holy or the Broken Hallelujah.” Leonard Cohen

 “You may say I am a dreamer, but I’m not the only one. I hope someday you’ll join us. And the world will live as one.” John Lennon 

Bret was born April 13th 1960 in Pleasant View, Colorado, in the home of his Granddaddy Vernon Todd and Gladys Todd. On November 23, 2024, at this home in Lewis, Colorado, Bret met his loving Lord face to face, forever to live in His welcoming presence.

His mother Marilyn and Father Troy Herrmann were over joyed at his arrival. He was (and forever will be) part of a large extended family whom he loves and who loves him. He became a big brother over the years to 3 little sisters. Kay Donette, Tammy Lynn, and Troylene. He teased and tortured the living daylights out of them, yet was very protective. On the other hand, he thought Kay could take care of herself because she would punch him in the gut if the tickling become too much! Kay says that only happened once, but apparently it made an impact. Regardless, he adored her and her tender heart. His independent strong-willed sister Tammy, who also has a tender side, can tell you about looking forward to “Bret Thursdays” – when he’d stop over at Tammy’s house in Albuquerque – brother and sister becoming close friends. His Princess Troylene who he could never deny a request will tell you he’s forever her hero. 

He grew up loving his family, loving rock and roll, and loving movies. Kiss was his favorite band. In my mind’s eye, I can still see him sticking out his tongue like Gene Simons while singing “I’m Gonna Rock and Roll All Night”. The Star Wars Trilogy is his favorite movies. In high school, Bret, Kay and I rode the school bus (driven by Aunt Marilyn) over Wolf Creek and through the busy streets of Denver to the state science fair. The first Star Wars had just been released and us rural farm/ranch kids got our first look at a big screen theater, showing Star Wars – none the less. We were so blown away. True to form Bret immediately wanted the music sound track and wanted to talk about the gospel story reviled in the movie. About depending on “The Force”, an unseen power that would guide if relied upon. We were so disappointed when turns out Princess Lia is Luke Skywalker’s sister. Yuk, we were looking forward to the romance between them. Whatever Bret did, he could see God in everything. People didn’t always understand that but that was ok. He loved everyone no matter! 

He moved to Oklahoma after high school at the invitation of his Uncle Allen. Arriving at his new home while Allen was away, his first startling sight was a smashed “Oklahoma State Bug” (a cockroach) on the wall beside the breakfast table. He tells Aunt Marilyn, “I don’t think I can live this way”. In Allen’s hast to leave earlier that day, Allen, while eating breakfast had smashed the bug and ran out to work without cleaning it up. Before settling in, true to Bret’s need for cleanliness, he immediately went to the store and purchased extra cleaning products. He, Aunt Marilyn and Allen thoroughly scrubbed the entire house.

Living in Cushing, Oklahoma he became part of the Cushing Crew and developing lifelong friends. He met lots of young adults including a girl named Angelia who he loved and married. Her family Gordon and Saundra Bond fell in love with him and he gained two brothers Jimmy and Christopher and baby girl Emalee whom he loved dearly. Bret and Angelia began their own family. He was so happy to become the father of Adam Timrod, Andrew Jarod, Caleb Ross, and Noah Heath. His cup overflowed! 

There was never a dull moment. One evening after a hard day, Bret fell asleep in his chair. Sometime during the night a backlit Angel of the Lord came walking down the hall toward him. Quick repentance and fervent prayer was immediate. But then Adam says, “Dad it’s just me”. Bret’s explicative, “Dad gum it boys” finished the Holy Visitation. And playing outdoors was the best…unless the sun was out. In fun, Bret had convinced Caleb that his own shadow was going to get him. Running from it didn’t seem to help. The only thing that worked was hiding in the shade. Then one day Bret came home from work with a very deep hand wound. Everybody freaked out, until his hehehe laugh gave away that it was fake. And the boys were never so glad to finally see the end of the deep freezer full of hot dogs, curtesy of the power outage at the grocery store where he worked at the time.

But Angelia got him back good. One night they were driving down a street Angelia had driven recently. The car dealership had this huge lighted balloon that Bret hadn’t seen yet. While far enough away to be unidentified, Angelia in fear says, “What is that?” While Bret’s looking trying to make sense of it, Angelia says, “Is that a UFO?” Quickly followed by, “I think it is” and lets out this horrifying scream. Bret absolutely lost it until Angelia started laughing.

Life was filled with ups and downs and moves and they finally settled in Colorado where he raised their sons. Bret enjoyed the mountains, watching his boys sports endeavors, singing with the praise and worship team, and spending time with his family and friends. He absolutely loved his grandchildren, taking them to the John Deere store to climb on the equipment, taking their hand and walking to see the sculptures at the park, showing them the new puppies at the farm – spending the day with them.

He always tried to be the peacemaker. Always prayed that people would get along. His favorite song was Somewhere from West Side Story, performed by Barbra Streisand. The words were his hope for humanity. To love, forgive, and exist in peace and harmony. This was his greatest hope. He loved God and all the beauty God created.

He loved hosting Halloween parties and dressing up in costume like he did at family parties as a kid. He gave a lot of joy to others through his parties! He loved Christmas and couldn’t wait every year to begin decorating!

He lived life to its fullest. Sometimes heart break, sometimes joy filled. He found rewarding joy in the pursuit of gardening, wise sayings and collectibles. He shared this joy in many beautiful writings and the photos of his farm garden. He posted regularly on social media where many of us followed and benefited from his message of unconditional love and we watched his yard work produce beauty – an expression of his patient gardening skills learned at a very young age. As a kid he would work on the rose bushes at Grandpa and Grandma Ross’ house. Grandpa Ross would watch him closely moving from window to window to make sure he was doing it right. Made him really nervous! Whether drawings, writings, collectibles or gardening, he loved the beauty of artistic endeavors.

He had the desire to live authentically and truthfully. In this journey he met Jeff Burge who became another joy in his life - his husband. A decade and half, plus a year their paths were one. Showing each other the beauty of both the valleys and the mountains of life. They learned a lot from each other. They were both a bit private and introverted, often joking about being old hermits. 

Unnecessarily nervous about meeting Jeff’s kin, he was accepted with open arms and brought into the fold of the Burge clan. Bret had helped Jeff’s grandfather with a measly task of some sort, when Grandpa complimented him on the work done and said “nice work, thank you Son”. Bret’s face just radiated. On the way home, that’s all he talked about…he called me son.

When Jeff had first met Bret’s folk, he too was very nervous. Bret had invited him to dinner. Thinking it was just a dinner to meet his folks, Jeff accepted. On the way over to the restaurant he told Jeff it was a dinner celebrating his sister and brother in law’s anniversary. He thought, Jeff might as well meet everyone in one setting. It took a bit of coaxing but Jeff didn’t make him turn the truck around; he too was accepted into the Herrmann clan with open arms. 

With deep roots in the rural communities of Dolores and Montezuma counties they honored their heritage and always kept homes in the country. Bret enjoyed watching his family grow, as each of his sons introduced him to their wives and the treasured grandchildren that they gifted him. He enjoyed working in the yard, watching his plantings grow into flowering spectacles. What Bret truly shared with Jeff and the world is Love, and that regardless of who we are or what we’ve done We are all Worthy of Unconventional Love. 

Bret found joy and satisfaction in his work with Community Connections. He loved caring for his clients. He loved helping others and feeling he was serving humanity rather than just making a living. Just as when he worked in the Alzheimer's ward at the nursing home, he loved his patients and worked to make their lives as comfortable and as happy as possible. He treated them with kindness, care, love and respect. He said even when they can't remember things or know things as they once did. They always knew when someone loved them and showed care. They responded to love and were all precious.

This was Bret! He was fun loving, and enjoyed a vast array of things in life, He always did his best to love all and make wherever he was better when he left it. 

In that perfect light, Bret joined his grandson Bret Michael Herrmann, his paternal grandparents Chester S. and Pearl (Williams) Herrmann, Maternal grandparents Vernon and Orpha Estella (Ross) Todd, and Gladys (Nation) Todd, his beloved mother-in-law Saundra (Wright) Bond, and a man who was proud to call him son Donald Burge, as well as many beloved Uncles and Aunts and nephew Joshua Bond.

Those of his family yet looking to join him there are his husband Jeffrey Burge of Lewis, CO; the Mother of his children Angelia K Young of Mancos, CO; Sons Adam (Kristin) Herrmann of Virginia Beach, VA; Andrew (Luci) Herrmann of Dolores, CO; Caleb (Katie Ann) Herrmann of Cortez, CO; and Noah (Amie) Herrmann of Cortez, CO; parents Troy and Marilyn Herrmann of Dolores, CO.; Sisters Kay (Duke) Underwood of Dolores, CO; Tammy Herrmann of Dolores, CO; Troylene (Joe) Owen of Mesquite, NV; Emalee (John) Morris of Montrose, CO; Jimmy (Nila) Bond of Tryon, OK and Christopher (Sandra) Bond of Wanette, OK.

His treasured grandchildren Delainey, Harper, and Briggs: David (Vanessa), Hailee, Emmett, Aaliyah, Jocelyn, Jaeda and Elena: Landon, Lincoln, Adalyn Faith, Eliana, Grace, and Joshua: Duke, Maverick, Doc, and Belle Rose Herrmann.

 Nephews and Nieces Tyler (Joey) Underwood, Todd Underwood, Kassadee (Alic) Cheairs, Kaden Morris, Lane Morris, Kayla (Wade) Farrow, Garrick(and Keturah) Bond, Draven (Chelsea) Bond, Kearstin (Craig) Pittman, Richelle Bond, Jalisa (Levi) Wilkinson, Jacob, Jonah, Jordan Bond and all their families. Father figure Gordon Bond, Grandmother Imogene Burge, Mother-in-law Susan Burge, and a host of other beloved family members too numerous to name.