Dr. Charles B. Hermesch (Chuck) of San Antonio, Texas, beloved husband, father, brother, uncle, dentist, dental colleague, mentor to dental students, and cherished friend to many, departed this life on May 30, 2024. Born in Seneca, Kan. to Henry and Antoinette (Niehues) Hermesch, he was raised on the family farm and spent his childhood in Kansas. He graduated from Kelly High School in 1968, Kansas State University (Bachelor of Science) in 1972 and Washington University School of Dental Medicine (DMD) in 1976.

On July 4, 1976, Chuck was sworn into service as a captain in the United States Air Force Dental Service (AFDS) where he served for 20 years, retiring at the rank of colonel. Chuck had professional assignments at Dover Air Force Base (AFB), Dover, Del.; Wilford Hall Medical Center, San Antonio, Texas; the Pentagon, Washington, D.C.; Soesterberg AFB, Soesterberg, Netherlands; Indiana University School of Dentistry, Indianapolis, Ind. (Research Fellowship); and Wilford Hall Medical Center, San Antonio, Texas. In 1996, Chuck retired from the AFDS and joined the University of Texas Health Science Center, School of Dentistry as an associate professor. For 20 years, he taught and mentored future dentists and often said it was the “best assignment” of his career.

Chuck married Barbara Baldwin in 1977 and they enjoyed 46 years of married life. In 1987, Kevin was born in Amersfoort, Netherlands while Chuck was assigned to Soesterberg AFB. The assignment in the Netherlands made it possible to meet many relatives and research Hermesch family history. With Barbara serving as translator, they made numerous successful trips to the family home in Damme, Germany. When their son Kevin was a student at Saint Mary's Hall. Chuck was an assistant scoutmaster for Boy Scout Troop 436. He treasured this special ‘dad-time’ with Kevin, sharing scout experiences, and was a sponsor for many Texas-area camping trips as well as extended trips to Camp Alexander, Colo.; Bear Creek, Texas; Northern Tier, Minn.; and Philmont, NM. In retirement he was also a volunteer trail guide for the San Antonio Park District. Barbara and Chuck enjoyed riding Rails to Trails in Colorado, Kansas, Maryland, Missouri, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Texas, Virginia, West Virginia, Wisconsin, and Wyoming. Chuck cared for his precious granddaughter, Sophia, for many months when she was an infant and had just returned from a two-week visit with Kevin, Deborah, and Sophia on May 29th. Their bond was truly special.

Chuck is survived by his loving wife, Barbara Baldwin of San Antonio; and their son Kevin, his wife Deborah, and their daughter Sophia of Alexandria, Va.; sister Jane Hermesch Sextro (husband Michael) of The Woodlands, Texas and their daughter Jamie Sextro Truett (husband Randy) of Ashland, Ky. and their children Ryan, Alyssa and Kylie; brother Dan Hermesch (wife Jan) of Hiawatha, Kan. and their children Michelle Hermesch Fangman (husband Michael) of Seneca, Kan. and Robert (Bob) Hermesch (wife Anamarie) of Hiawatha, Kan.; and sister Susan Hermesch Dannels of San Antonio, Texas and her children Natasha Grady-Greene (wife Kathleen) and their children, Jackson, Emmett, Tristan, Emberlee, Millie, Dax and Blake of Georgetown Texas and Dr. Natalie Greene Robertson (husband Josh) and their sons Evan and Gunnar of San Antonio, Texas; as well as numerous great nieces and nephews, and cousins.

Chuck was preceded in death by his parents Henry and Antoinette Hermesch and his brother Robert.

A rosary will be held on Thursday June 6th at 7:00 p.m. at Lauer Funeral Home, 212 South 4th Street, Seneca, Kan. 66538. The memorial service and burial with full military honors will be celebrated at St. Bede's Church, Kelly, Kan. on Friday June 7, 2024, at 10:30 a.m.

Chuck was an avid reader and credits much of his professional success to the long hours he spent in libraries. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to the Seneca Free Library, 606 Main Street, Seneca, Kan. 66538.

To express your sympathy and for more information visit www.lauerfuneralhome.com .