Baetae Memoriae

HERCHEN, ROBERT DeRULLE (JAMES), 91, passed away peacefully at home on August 16 after a short illness.

Born in Providence on November 18, 1916, he was the son of the late Arthur and Delia (Driscoll) Herchen, and brother of the late Arthur, Raymond, and Russell Herchen.

He is survived by his wife of 69 years, Dorothy (Babin); 6 children Carol Gibbons of East Greenwich, Catherine Dumican and husband Barry of South Yarmouth, MA, Roberta Herchen of Warwick, Stephen Herchen and wife Jennifer of Plymouth, MA, Paul Herchen and wife Joyce of West Warwick, and Elise Hedglen and husband Kenneth of Wakefield; 20 grandchildren and 13 great-grandchildren. He was a resident of Warwick for 54 years.

Mr. Herchen was an active alumnus of Rhode Island College of Education (now RIC), where he earned graduate and undergraduate degrees. He taught English and drama for 35 years at North Kingstown, where he served as department chair, Pilgrim, and Toll Gate high schools. In retirement he was active at St. Gregory the Great parish in Warwick as an extraordinary minister of the Eucharist to the sick in hospitals and nursing homes, and as a lector. A dedicated volunteer for Meals on Wheels for 27 years, Mr. Herchen was honored as the 2006 Rhode Island Volunteer of the Year.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on, THURSDAY at 10 a.m. in St. Gregory The Great Church, Cowesset Rd., Warwick, Interment will follow in Gate of Heaven Cemetery. Visiting hours will be from 4-8 p.m. on WEDNESDAY at the RUSSELL J. BOYLE & SON Funeral Home 142 Centerville Rd., WARWICK. In lieu of flowers, memorial Gifts in Robert's memory to Meals on Wheels of RI, would be deeply appreciated. For on line expressions of sympathy, visit boyleandsonfuneralhome.com