Hermann Nuyken

Hermann Nuyken, 81, of Goshen, died 7:30 a.m. Sunday, September 4, 2011, at The Courtyard Healthcare, Goshen. He had battled cancer for the last three years. Hermann was born Jan. 19, 1930 in Allenstein, Prussia to Karl and Melanie (Engelhard) Nuyken. He married Dorothy Parmalee in June of 1963. She died in 1986. Hermann then married Patricia Roth in Elkhart on July 22, 1989. She survives. Also surviving is one brother, Max Nuyken, Bremen, Germany. He was preceded by his parents, his first wife, and two brothers, Klaus and Wessel Nuyken. After WWII, Hermann returned to Soest, Germany where he hosted U.S. students through the organization Experiment in International Living. He moved to the US in 1959 because of the Experiment project and worked at Dodge Manufacturing in Mishawaka as a mechanical engineer for 20 years. During that time he earned his MBA at Michigan State University. In the 60's Hermann started his own business, Michiana Solar, focusing on solar, wind and geothermal applications. Hermann and his friend, Richard Bottorf, began the sister city relationship between Mishawaka and his hometown of Soest, Germany. He became a United States citizen in April of this year. He was a dedicated member (40 years) of the South Bend Chapter of D.A.N.K., a German club devoted to educating and preserving German heritage in the U.S. There will be a public memorial service for Hermann on September 17 at 1:30 pm at Assembly Mennonite Church, 1201 S. 11th Street, Goshen, where he and Patricia attended. Light refreshments and fellowship will follow the memorial service at the church. Services will be lead by Pastors Carmen Horst and Heidi Siemens-Rhodes. The body will be cremated and a private family graveside service will take place at Violett cemetery at a later date. Memorials may be made to IU Health Goshen Center for Cancer Care or Assembly Mennonite Church .