Emanuel F. "Manny" Herzberger

Emanuel “Manny” F. Herzberger left us on November 15, 2010 following a year long battle with colon cancer. During this brave fight, he inspired and touched all that were around him. He was born October 1, 1927 in Colorado Springs to Vernon and Hattie Herzberger. Being born to deaf parents, Emanuel and his brother Bill shared experiences and adventures that few can understand. He enlisted in the U.S. Air Force in 1947 and participated in the Berlin Airlift as an aircraft instrument specialist. Upon his return from Germany in 1949, he enrolled at UNC in Greeley, graduating with his teaching degree in 1953. It was there that he met the love of his life, Marian Black, and they were married August 8, 1954. They were blessed with 5 children; Charlene (Tom) Hornyak, Mitchell (Liz) Herzberger, Linda (David) Herzberger-Kimball, Robert (Angel) Leffler-Herzberger and Susan Kirk. He will be missed by the grandchildren that he treasured beyond measure; Megan, Aubrey, Kelsey, Hillary, Eric, Daniel, Elise, Hannah, Adam, Faith and Ava. He is survived by his brothers, Bill (Nicky) Herzberger and Bob (Merryl) Black, 4 nieces and a nephew. Emanuel’s love of teaching spanned 37 years, 34 years being at Parkview Elem. School. His last 15 years he was the Title I reading specialist after receiving his Masters Degree from Adam State College in 1972. He was an active member of the Pueblo, Colorado and National Education Associations. He was active with the Boy Scouts of America for over 50 years, always lending a hand to start another den or help with popcorn sales. In 1986, he received the Silver Beaver, the highest honor within the BSA. With his son Mitch’s encouragement, Manny became a member of South Pueblo Lodge #31 and served in various positions with Lodge, the Southern Colorado Consistory and the Al Kaly Shrine over the last 19 years. Emanuel believed that “God had blessed him all his life” , being a member of Bethel United Methodist Church for over 50 years, moving to First United Methodist Church in 2008. Those who knew him knew that Manny was a dreamer and on October 8, 2010 he fulfilled his lifelong dream of seeing the Statue of Liberty, made possible by the Jeremy Bloom’s Wish of a Lifetime. Because of this and his love of education, donations in memory of Manny may be made to the South Pueblo Lodge #31 Education Fund, benefiting Masonic Educational Scholarships or the Jeremy Bloom’s Wish of a Lifetime Foundation, direct or through the mortuary. Manny will lie in state from 3 pm until 7pm today at the mortuary. Emanuel’s services will be held at Pueblo First United Methodist Church on Friday, Nov. 19 at 2:00 PM. Interment with Masonic burial rites and military honors will follow at the Imperial Cemetery. Online condolences at DavisMortuary.com