In Remembrance is an occasional column featuring short obituaries of CAS members who have recently passed away. These obituaries and sometimes longer versions are posted on the CAS website; search for “Obituaries.”
William Nesthus “Bill” Herr Jr. (FCAS 1998)
1961-2022
William Nesthus “Bill” Herr Jr. died peacefully among his family. He was born in Youngstown, Ohio, to William and Joanne Herr. He moved to Toledo when he was young and attended St. John’s Jesuit High School, where he was a National Merit Scholarship finalist and a successful varsity athlete in football, wrestling and track. Herr earned a degree in chemical engineering from Cornell University and taught math at his former high school while earning a Master’s in Education at the University of Toledo. He also assisted with coaching several sports, including wrestling, track and football. His sharp analytical mind, unflagging work ethic and toughness helped lead the teams he coached to success, and he was at his happiest when he was prowling the sidelines as defensive coordinator. He married Eleanor “Ellie” Chamberlin in 1996, and they raised two children together. He was quiet but possessed a snappy wit and impeccable timing. He loved classic rock music, especially Bob Dylan, and sports, particularly wrestling and football. His undeniable intellect was matched by his sense of responsibility. He was a kind, tough, generous and fair person who worked hard to do the right thing, even if it was difficult or unpleasant. Preceded in death by his parents, Herr is survived by his wife; children, Elece and Liam; siblings, Mary, Mike and Chris; his in-laws; and many extended family members.
James Crowley (FCAS 1960)
1929–2022
James H. Crowley, Jr. of West Hartford, Connecticut died at his home. Born in Macwahoc, Maine, he was the son of the late James and Laura (Pratt) Crowley. He moved to Connecticut as a teenager and was the valedictorian of the East Hartford High School Class of 1946. He received a B.A. in mathematics from Wesleyan University, an M.A. in economics from Trinity College and an M.S. in professional accounting from the University of Hartford. He was a U.S. Navy Veteran of the Korean War, serving as an officer in submarines. He continued as an active reservist until the end of the Vietnam War and retired as a Lieutenant Commander. He joined Aetna in 1955 as an actuarial trainee and was vice president of the tax department at the time of his retirement. He was a member of the American Academy of Actuaries and an affiliate of the Connecticut Society of CPAs. He is survived by his daughter, Anne C. James; son-in-law, Glenn Pilczak; three sisters, Madeline McGibbon, Patricia Jobes and Mary Crowley; a cousin, Lillian Harpin; a close friend, Marilyn Harmon; and extended family. He was preceded in death by a daughter, Lynn Pilczak; a brother, Terrence Crowley, and a sister, Nancy Wilde.
