Herman Hitzfelder, Jr. was born Sunday, September 21, 1930 at home on the Hitzfelder Ranch in Spring Branch, Texas to Herman Hitzfelder, Sr. and Wanda Hitzfelder (nee Pfeuffer). He was a descendant of some of the early settlers of Comal County. Herman, also known as Junior, and was the youngest of five children.

German was his first language and he also spoke Spanish before he even started school. It was in school, Herman learned to speak English. One time, when a very distant relative from Germany came to visit, the gentleman asked Herman when he came to Texas, because his German was excellent.

He attended Spring Branch School and graduated from New Braunfels High school in 1949. He played on the 1948 State finalist football team.After graduation, Herman went to work on the family ranch working with his father. Ranching kept him busy outdoors, and that was his passion. Checking on and caring for his livestock was important to him. Even in his last days he was concerned about how the animals were being taken care of. The Sunday before he left us, he wanted to "go feed". Over the years, Herman won numerous awards for his cattle, wool, sheep, and mohair. He also sold many award winning fine wool show lambs and steers to young 4-H members.

In 1964, Herman was set up on a blind date with a young school teacher named Jimmie Dolgener. And on April 9, 1965 they were married. To the union two daughters were born, Wanda and Jennifer.

In the early 1980's Herman saw what was coming in Comal County and Spring Branch with the growth of San Antonio northward. It was becoming difficult to ranch with "city people" moving in, limited water supply, and other issues, Herman decided it was time to move. Concern for the future of his family and the ranching operation were foremost in his mind. In 1984, he sold the ranch and moved the entire operation to Art in Mason County.

Herman was an active member of many organizations including the Texas Sheep & Goat Raisers, of which he was a long time director; Farm Bureau; a 70 year member of Hermann Sons; Willow Creek Wildlife Association; and a 50 year member of Germania Farmer's Verein in Anhalt, Texas. He loved to bowl and was member of the Spring Branch and Bulverde Bowling Clubs. He was an avid 9-pin and 10-pin bowler and in his younger days won several bowling trophies. Herman enjoyed hunting and always "shot himself a deer" until recently. When he lived at Spring Branch, trotline fishing in the Guadalupe River was a favorite pastime with friends and family. He was also a San Antonio Spurs fan and rarely missed listening to games on the radio.

Family history was a favorite topic for Herman. He loved to talk not only Hitzfelder or Pfeuffer family history, Herman also loved to learn about the history of other families. He knew the history of most of the old families in Comal County and after moving to Mason, Herman learned the history of many of the county's founding families. He never forgot a name and enjoyed meeting people. He loved to visit with friends and family.

Herman passed away quietly at home after a long battle with cancer Monday March 2, 2020. He is preceded in death by his parents Herman and Wanda Hitzfelder, 4 sisters, Irene and Joyce Hitzfelder, Gloria Hardy, and Dorene Laas. He is survived by his wife of almost 55 years, Jimmie, daughters Wanda Rueffer and Jennifer Foster and sons-in-law Eddie Rueffer and Josh Foster. He is also survived by two step grandchildren and numerous nieces, nephews, great nieces, great nephews, and great-great nieces and nephews.

Visitation with the family will be Friday evening from 5 to 7 p.m. at Mason Funeral Home. Funeral services for Herman Hitzfelder will be held on Saturday, March 7, at 11:00 a.m. at Mason Funeral Home.  Interment will follow in the Art West Cemetery.