Herman Stanley Parish III, a 30-year resident of Princeton died unexpectedly on February 10th. He was the third child born to Virginia Ballentine, and Dr. Herman Stanley Parish Jr., a flight surgeon in the US Airforce in Waco, Texas, in 1953. Following Dr. Parish's retirement from the USAF, the family settled in Cheyenne, WY, which Herman considered his home.

He graduated from the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania with degrees in Finance, Accounting and Management and was a member of the ZBT fraternity. His nearly 50-year relationship with his wife Rosemary began while they were students at Penn. Following his graduation, he served as a midshipman in the US Navy, and in the reserves supporting Navy Seal teams in Europe. Herman separated honorably as a Lieutenant Commander in 1985.

After four years as a midshipman in the Western Pacific, he began a thirteen-year career in advertising as an account executive, copy writer and creative director. He created multiple award-winning campaigns during his time at Ogilvy and Mather, Young and Rubicam, and other agencies.

Friends and acquaintances saw him as a thoughtful, and thoroughly lovely man with a biting sense of humor. Yet few of his Princeton friends knew him as the beloved author of the children's classic Amelia Bedelia. His modesty forbade it.

His aunt, Peggy Parish, introduced the literal-minded maid in 1963, writing 12 books in the series. His close relationship with his aunt ended with her death in 1988. Responding to requests to continue the series Herman decided to do so himself adding 59 titles to the series. They included picture books, I Can Read, and chapter books, several rising to the New York Times best seller list.

His owlish wisdom was revealed through the pages of his books featuring the rollicking adventures of the grown-up, and young Amelia, who he described as "littler, but just as literal as ever".

Herman saw himself as the Pied-Piper for early reading, lecturing at schools and libraries in more than twenty-two states. He emphasized the importance of writing and editing throughout his career, he understood that a series of books encouraged young readers to build on familiar literary territory. His humor, as well as his clear writing, engaged the funny bone of children and adults alike. Recently the books found new communities of interest in the autism spectrum and ESL readers.

Celebrating the 50th Anniversary of the series Herman observed that he and his aunt agreed that "there was a narrow window where children could read or be interested in reading. If you miss that opportunity, it is very difficult to engage them later."

In 2014, Herman suffered a life-threatening stroke. After 17 days in the ICU, thanks to the heroic efforts of Doctors Gaurav Gupta and Sudipta Roychowdhury, and the ICU staff at Robert Wood Johnson Hospital, he made a full recovery and resumed his writing.

Herman enjoyed fly fishing which he learned as an adolescent in his beloved Wyoming, flower gardening, cooking, classical piano and walking in his much-loved Mountain Lake Park. He was a long-time member of Trinity Episcopal Church. He is survived by his loving wife Rosemary, his sisters: Mary Parish and Fredericka Lake, his adoring children: Stan, Philip and Margaret Parish, his daughters in law: Anna Sanchez-Bendahan and Emmalee Carr-Parish and his granddaughters Lola Rose Parish and Dorothy Owen Parish.

A memorial service and celebration of his life will be held at Trinity Church Princeton in May. Following his unanticipated death, his friends and family bid Herman - "Now cracks a noble heart. Goodnight sweet prince, and flights of angels sing thee to thy rest".