Father, grandfather, U.S. Navy veteran, Powell’s Hardware owner

Albert Phillip Herrlinger III, age 88, formerly of Claremont and a resident of Issaquah, Washington, died of natural causes on April 27 while surrounded by his family.

He is survived by his son and daughter-in-law Albert IV (Buddy) and Karie and grandchildren Honor and Levi Herrlinger of Portland, Oregon; his daughter and son-in-law Lee Anne and Andrew Linnemann of Issaquah, Washington and grandchildren Sylas Linnemann of San Diego, California and Amelia Linnemann of Davis, California; his brother Lawrence Herrlinger of Louisville, Kentucky; his sister Mary Jeanne Herrlinger of Claremont; and many nieces and nephews.

Mr. Herrlinger was preceded in death by his wife Pamela and his older sister, Ann Greiser, of Boynton Beach, Florida.

Mr. Herrlinger was born March 20, 1938 in Cincinnati, Ohio to parents Albert and Jeanne Herrlinger. He graduated from Vanderbilt University in 1961 with a degree in chemical engineering. After college, he attended Officer Candidate School in Newport, Rhode Island, where he obtained his commission in the United States Navy. He attended the U.S. Naval Post Graduate School in Monterey, California, where he met his wife, Pamela. They remained married for over 55 years. Mr. Herrlinger retired from the Navy in 1981 as a lieutenant commander with 10 years active duty and 10 years reserve.

Mr. Herrlinger and his wife Pamela settled in Claremont, her hometown. Known to his friends as “Al,” he joined the family business, becoming the sole owner and ran Powell’s Hardware for 25 years. As a leader in the Claremont community, he served as treasurer of The Economy Shop.  He also served on the Oak Park Cemetery board, belonged to Claremont Rotary Club for more than 40 years and was a member of Claremont United Church of Christ Congregational.

He was a devoted family man who enjoyed pulling his RV, playing golf, doing his daily crossword puzzle and following the Cincinnati Reds and Bengals. Beginning in childhood, Mr. Herrlinger was never without a dog. “After relocating to the Timber Ridge Community in Issaquah in 2018, he supported the landscape and disaster preparedness committees, providing a steady voice and keen eye on all the details to ensure the Ridge was safe and spectacular,” his family shared. “He will be remembered for his kindness, quiet voice and gentlemanly approach to all he encountered.”