H. Preston Herring

H. Preston Herring, Ph.D., age 62, 38 Crestmont Circle, Bloomsburg, died at 10:50 a. m. Tuesday, July 14, 2009, at the Geisinger Medical Center, Danville where he was admitted earlier in the day. He was in failing health for 13 years.

Born on January 23, 1947 in Princeton, West Va., he was a son of the late Harold W. and Julia (Switch) Herring, he resided in Bloomsburg since 1995.

Preston was a graduate of Princeton High School, Princeton, West Va.; received his B.S. degree from West Virginia Wesleyan University; his Masters degree from the University of Vermont; and his Ph.D. in higher education administration from Michigan State University.

He served as an administrator at the University of Vermont; also at Kent State University, Michigan State University, University of Louisville, Rochester Institute of Technology and as vice-president for student affairs at Bloomsburg University for the past 14 years.

Dr. Herring established the University's first drug and alcohol education program. He also worked closely with the mayor of Bloomsburg and the PA Liquor Control Board to form the Bloomsburg Initiative, a campus/community coalition that worked to address issues of alcohol use and abuse.

During nearly 15 years at Bloomsburg University, he led the university division devoted to the students lives outside of the classroom. Student affairs includes admissions, career development, student standards, student activities and residence life, student health and counseling, intercollegiate athletics and intramural sports, as well as drug and alcohol intervention programs. He oversaw auxiliary enterprise, including Kehr Union, the University Store, the Child Center, the Student Recreation Center and dining services. For five years, he also directed university relations, encompassing alumni affairs, communications, development and government relations.

He was a member of the Wesley United Methodist Church, Bloomsburg; served on the board of directors of the Bloomsburg YMCA, Bloomsburg Chamber of Commerce and SEDA-COG. He received an honorary alumnus award from Bloomsburg University in 2009.

Preston was a loving husband, father and grandfather. His passion for life and greater inner strength carried into his relationships with family, friends and colleagues. Few who know him were not touched by his gentle and quiet demeanor. He will be remembered for his dry sense of humor and will be missed by all who knew him.
He was an avid sports fan, especially enjoying basketball, baseball and jogging.



Surviving are his beloved wife, the former Virginia Lee "Ginny" Gillenwater, with whom he would have celebrated his 39th wedding anniversary on August 1, 2009. He was the loving father of Ashleigh, wife of Jason D. Spiegel, Winchester, Va and Bryce W. Herring, at home; and grandfather of Matthew Preston Spiegel, Winchester, Va. He is also survived by a brother, W. Michael Herring, and his wife Dorothy, Warsaw, Ind. And a sister, Elizabeth, wife of Robert O'Neal, Rehobeth, Mass. , as well as several nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by an infant son, Matthew W. Herring.

Funeral services will be held on Saturday at 11 a. m. in Wesley United Methodist Church, Market & West Third St., Bloomsburg, with his pastor, Rev. Jay E. Jones officiating. Private interment in New Rosemont Cemetery, Espy. A reception will follow at the Kehr Union Ballroom.

Friends may call on Friday from 2-4 and 6-8 p. m. at the Dean W. Kriner, Inc., Funeral Home & Cremation Service, 325 Market St., Bloomsburg or after 10 a. m. Saturday at the Church (please use West Third Street, Entrance).

In lieu of flowers, donations may be sent to a memorial fund that has been established in his memory at the First Columbia Bank & Trust Co., 232 East St., Bloomsburg, PA 17815.