Services for Dr. Robert Herman – February 6, 1977 — February 6, 2025

Beloved husband and father, Robert Jerome Herman, passed away peacefully on his birthday, February 6, 2025, surrounded by his family and many friends. He was 48 years old. Robie’s legacy of love, kindness, mentorship, and innovation is well-known, and he will be missed by so many. The majority of people who have the privilege of knowing Robie consider him their best friend. His character and integrity are well-known, and his impact resonates from small circles in Tulsa to the far reaches of the globe. One of Robie’s close friends recently wrote that “the intentional stewardship and the unshakable devotion [he] personifies is woven into every facet of his life…All of the experiences, all of the challenges that [he] faced, all the lessons [he] learned, and all of the relationships [he built] made him an incredible man.” No obituary is adequate to honor Robie’s exceptional life.

Robie was born to Bruce and Donna Herman in 1977 in San Antonio, TX. He was the eldest of four children and took very seriously his role as older brother to his sisters, Katrina Herman and Kodi Yorman, and brother, Kasey Herman. He grew up in Pennsylvania and Dewey, Oklahoma, developing a love of horses from an early age. He was an outstanding student, and after graduating from Dewey High School in 1995, he earned his undergraduate degree in Philosophy from the University of Notre Dame and his doctorate and master’s degree in Orthodontics from the University of Oklahoma. Robie loved both schools deeply, and you could always find him rooting for the Irish and the Sooners at every opportunity. Like everything else in Robie’s life, his devotion to the places and people who shaped him is intentional and sincere.

Nothing in the world is more important to Robie than his precious family. From the first time he met the love of his life, Krista Herman, while waiting tables at the Garfield’s in Bartlesville, OK, while he was in high school, they have been a perfect match. Their enduring love continued through college life, and they married in 1999. During a four-year commitment to the Navy, their first daughter, Caroline Herman, was born while they were living overseas in Okinawa, Japan. After moving back to Tulsa, a son, Jackson (Jack) Herman, and another daughter, Elizabeth Katherine (Ella Kate) Herman, followed. Robie was a devoted father to his children, often helping them with homework and advising them on their lives. His children were his pride and joy.  Each of Robie’s children reflects his values and his work ethic. He inspired their big dreams, modeled humility and curiosity, and planted seeds of faith and philanthropy that will strengthen generations to come. He shared his love of horses with each of them, naming a ranch after his family ranch in South Dakota, Black Top Ranch, and filling his stables with amazing show horses that he rode and showed with his children. The Herman Family led by Robie has already amassed 10 AQHA World Championships, and more than 30 Championships in APHA and PtHA, as well as many WCHA Championships. Robie excelled in a wide range of stock horse specialties including, lunge line, pleasure, all-around events and halter and was widely respected as a horseman and breeder. He was a real cowboy who embraced the hard work, gentle spirit, and patience that life with horses requires.

Robie and Krista are true partners and serve as a beautiful example of fidelity, faith, and fun not only for their children but for everyone who had the privilege of knowing them. Robie’s love affair with Krista continues to this day. “Death cannot kill what never dies.”

Robie’s compassionate nature transformed smiles and lives. He was proud of his loyal staff and approached work with a dedication to excellence and a genuine desire to make a difference in the lives of his patients. He had an unmatched passion for dentistry and orthodontics and loved his work. He chose to treat the underserved and the most difficult cases that others shied away from. Robie learned Spanish and hired Spanish-speaking staff to create a welcoming environment for his patients; accepted Sooner Care to make access to beautiful smiles more equitable; and offered generous discounts to educators, because he believed in the power of education and knew that teachers are often underpaid. He was passionate about his patients’ care and often reviewed X-rays at dinner to prepare for the next day.

Robie held leadership positions within Dentistry since he started private practice 20 years ago. He served in every office of the Tulsa County Dental Society as well as the Executive Committee and was Past President of the Oklahoma Dental Association. He also served on the Board of Trustees, for two terms as Secretary/Treasurer, and as an American Dental Association Delegate. He has chaired countless committees and served more than eight years on the Dental Focus Group of the Oklahoma Health Care Authority. He was invited to lecture on the national and local level and was a published author and consultant. Dr. Herman was a Fellow of both the International College of Dentists and the American College of Dentists.

He was recognized by his dental peers with Tulsa County Dental Society’s highest award, the Sadoris Award, in addition to receiving the AL Walters Award for Tulsa Dentist of the Year, the President’s Award, and the Robert K. Wynne Award.

Robie also loved to travel, and the Herman family visited many far-reaching places with friends and family. He collected wine, renovated the Herman homes, worked tirelessly on his ranch, enjoyed luxury cars and fashion, and created meals that rivaled gourmet chefs. He had many close friends, and Krista and Robie were known for the wonderful parties they hosted. He was also a deeply committed Catholic and lived out his faith daily. From his diagnosis forward, Robie sought to glorify God through this battle, and he did. Psalm 118:17-“I will not die, but live, and declare the works of the Lord.”-served as his mantra. Even when he was suffering, he pointed others to his powerful faith and his Savior.

What brought the most joy to Robie, after his family, was helping people and making the world better. It was his driving force. He had an incredible intellect that was always working on his next project, his next business, and his next opportunity to do the most good for the most people. When asked what he wanted his obituary to say, he said, “I lived fully. I knew what was important to me, and I lived for those things.” There is no doubt among all who knew him, that he did, in fact, do that. He felt he had lived his life to the fullest in his relatively short time on Earth and was not afraid to go to Heaven when his time came close.

He is preceded in death by his sister, Katrina Herman; his grandmother, Cora “Sue” Dragoo; his grandparents, Charles and Dora Herman; and his mother-in-law, Linda Fisher, and he was looking forward to his reunion with them in Heaven. His memory will be carried in the hearts of his wife, Krista; his children Caroline, Jack, and Ella Kate; his parents Bruce and Donna; his sister Kodi with her husband Carl Yorman and children Kara and Keely; his brother Kasey with his wife Chrystal Herman and children Kennedy, Karson, and Kannon; his father-in-law Lary Fisher; his sister-in-law Danna Kutach with her husband Mark and their children Ava and Lyla; and his extended circle of family and friends.

“Heroes are remembered, but legends never die.” -Babe Ruth.

In lieu of flowers, please consider making memorial donations to:

InfiniteStrength.org

Offering strength to single mothers with metastatic breast cancer and their children.

https://tinyurl.com/OQHA-Robert-Herman

Donations will support the Oklahoma Quarter Horse Association Youth Program.

Pinto Heritage Foundation

7330 NW 23rd

Bethany, OK 73008

A scholarship will be offered in Robie’s name.

A viewing for Dr. Herman will be Thursday, February 13, 2025 5:30 PM – 6:00 PM, at St Bernard’s Catholic Church, 4001 E 101st St, Tulsa, OK 74137.

A Rosary Service will follow on Thursday, February 13, at St Bernard’s Catholic Church starting at 6:00 PM.

The Mass of Christian Burial will be held 11:00 on Friday, February 14, 2025 at St Bernard’s Catholic Church, 4001 E 101st St, Tulsa, OK 74137.

Arrangements are entrusted to Schaudt’s Glenpool-Bixby Funeral Service, 1329 East 151st St. Glenpool, OK 74033. Family and friends may leave kind words of comfort, special memories and condolences to the family online at www.schaudtfuneralservice.com.