Herbert A. Sihler

Herbert Andrew Sihler Jr., 88, of Chagrin Falls passed away peacefully on Tuesday November 24^th.  He was born to the late Herbert A. Sihler and Mary Christine Dobler Sihler on January 27^th, 1927 in Cleveland.  Herb attended Oliver Hazard Perry Elementary School and graduated from Aurora High School in 1945.  He enrolled at Hiram College but was drafted into the U.S. Army that October.  He proudly served in Peiping China as a non-commissioned officer and volunteered as a disc jockey at radio station XRAY.  Herb was honorably discharged as a Sergeant on January 28^th, 1947.  He returned to Aurora and graduated from Cleveland College, Case Western Reserve University, in 1950.  While in college, Herb often commuted from home by hitch-hiking from Aurora to Cleveland and back. Herb worked at Windsor Hospital, founded by his grandfather, Doctor Christian Sihler, in 1898.  Herb worked in all aspects, from kitchen to lawn-care, ultimately succeeding his uncle Paul Sihler as President in 1964.  Herb served the mental health needs of patients and their families for 22 years, providing a caring and supportive atmosphere in a home-like environment.  He was president until the hospital was sold in August, 1986.  Herb helped to build Windsor’s stellar reputation, and although the campus was closed in 2007, the name and legacy live on as Windsor Laurelwood Center for Behavioral Medicine, Willoughby Ohio.  The proceeds of the sale were used to establish The Sihler Mental Health Foundation.  As President, Herb continued to serve the community by reviewing and awarding grants to non-profit organizations in the field of mental health education, research, and service.  In 1998 Herb retired and the Sihler Mental Health Foundation ended its work.  The Foundation awarded nearly 4.7 million dollars in grants, and the reputation endures with The Sihler Family Professor of Psychiatry Endowed Chair at Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine. Herb was also a past member of the Chagrin Valley Rotary Club, and was on the Board of Directors of the Chagrin Falls Park Community Center. Herb married the love of his life, Carolyn J. Charles (nee Wingart) on March 12^th, 1983.  He was married to “The Wife” for 32 years.  Together they enjoyed spending time at the family home in New Market Virginia, traveling, movies, theater, the orchestra and especially the friendship of his cousin Pete and wife Maria Bowerfind. Herb is survived by his three step-children, Tamara (Tim) Hallett of Bloomington Indiana, JC (Laura) Charles of Strongsville Ohio, and Jennifer (Warren) Gaskins of Avon North Carolina, his eight grandchildren, his sister Mary Sauerteig, and his nephews Bill (Linda) Sauerteig and Bob Sauerteig. Visitation will be held from 2 – 4 pm and 6 – 8 pm on Monday November 30^th at Stroud-Lawrence Funeral Home at 95 South Franklin Street in Chagrin Falls.  The memorial service will be held at 2 pm on Tuesday December 1^st at St. Martin’s Episcopal Church at 6295 Chagrin River Road with a reception to follow.  Reverend Ellis Tucker Bowerfind will be officiating.  In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the Chagrin Falls Historical Society, PO Box 515, Chagrin Falls, OH 44022. www.stroudlawrence.com

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