George M. Hersh, Sr.

George M. Hersh, Sr., a native Topekan, and former President of Postal Savings and Loan Association, passed away on June 14, 2013. He was 95 years old. George was born May 12, 1918, and was the only son of John L. Hersh and Maude Belle Marshall-Hersh and was the grandson of former Supreme Court Justice, John Marshall. He had three sisters, Helen Hersh Franklin, Lucille Hersh Johnson, and Florence Hersh Schoener. His parents and sisters all preceded him in death.

He attended Potwin and Randolph Elementary Schools, Boswell Junior High School and Topeka High School. A 1937 graduate of Topeka High School, George played Center on the Basketball team and was a member of the track team competing in High jump and the quarter mile. He attended Baker University, 1937-1941 where he earned a BS in Business and continued to play Basketball and compete in Track.

In October of 1941 at age 23, George enlisted in the U.S. Navy and served during World War II as a navigator on the aircraft carried U.S.S. Copahee (CVE-12/VGS-12). Most of the time the carrier was in the Pacific Theater. In 1945 following his honorable discharge from the service as a Lieutenant, he returned to Topeka and after a short stint at Washburn University's Law School, became Secretary-Treasurer of Postal Savings and Loan Association. In 1949 he was made manager of the Association and from 1951 thru 1988 he served as President of Postal. Mr. Hersh was the developer of the Northland Shopping Center. He was a member of Kappa Sigma Fraternity. His past involvements include Topeka Old Ironside Polo Club, member and past President of the Topeka Roundup Club, Kiwanis Club and Downtown Topeka, Inc., Topeka Lodge No. 17 A.F. & A.M., Topeka Lodge No. 204, Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks.

While there were many eventful years, George brought to mind the terrible flood of 1951 and the tornado of 1966 as his most challenging times. Many of Postal's customers during the flood were advised by George personally to take care of their families first and payments were deferred or rescheduled to tide the families over during the crisis. The tornado of 1966 also reflected the compassion of Postal Savings and other Topeka business firms as they helped the stricken families who survived this great natural calamity.

Mr. Hersh is survived by his wife of 57 years, Marjorie L. Gideon Hersh; and his four children, Lisa A. Hersh, Portland, OR, John (Linda) Hersh, Topeka, George (Marcia) Hersh, Leawood, Brian (Lonna) Hersh, Topeka; his grandchildren, Jessica (Tom) Dercher, Jamie Hersh, Mark Hersh, Ashley Hersh, Allison Hersh, Melissa Hersh, Whitney Hersh, Katelyn Hersh, Emily Hersh, Shelby Hersh; and nieces and nephews, Jon Mareska, Tammy Blake, Charles Mareska, and Laurie Crowley.

Private family inurnment will take place in Mount Hope Cemetery. The family will receive friends from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. on Friday, June 21, 2013 at Penwell-Gabel Mid Town Chapel.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Baker University or the Salvation Army.