Herschel B. Talley, Jr., formerly of rural Crete and recently of rural Eagle, died at sunrise on May 5, 2024, after a three-year battle with incurable cancer.
He was born Sept. 26, 1939, in Nashville, Tennessee. Hersh was a lover of Scotch, second-hand books, all dogs and horses and Western movies. He abhorred country music, Frank Sinatra songs, watered down Scotch, sharing his Scotch, and people who left their hats on in the house. He was known for telling his kids to pick up their claptrap, working out splinters from their feet, and collecting “good stuff.” Hersh loved dressing up in a kilt and traditional Scottish outfits with his wife, Betty.
In 1966, he joined Norden Laboratories and held various positions throughout his 27-year tenure working in animal pharmaceuticals. He mixed business with pleasure and met the love of his life through work, Betty, and married her on Aug. 22, 1981.
He annually participated in the National Pony Express ReRide, re-enacting the Pony Express relay of the mail from St. Joseph, Missouri, to Sacramento, California. In 1996, he carried the Olympic torch on horseback as a Nebraska team member.
Hersh was active in Masonic life. He was a member of Lancaster Lodge 54, a KCCH of Scottish Rite, Royal Order of Scotland, and a founding member of the Lincoln Knights of St. Andrew. In 1999, he became Chapter Dad for Dr. Frederick Eiche Chapter DeMolay, in Lincoln, encouraging and mentoring young men, many from Crete.
In 2001, he started his own business repairing boots, shoes, and saddles under the name The Brand, in Crete, with locations first on 13th Street and then on Main Street. Later, he added flag sales and engineering flagpole installations.
In his free time, he enjoyed woodworking, especially wood turning, and tinkering in his shop. Hersh loved riding horses, leather working, camping, traveling, and spending time with his family. His favorite time of year was summer at the family cabin at Pelican Lake, Manitoba. Even last year, he was water skiing, sailing and working in the garden.
He is survived by his wife, Betty; daughter, Gwyneth Talley; son Blair Talley (Amanda;, and his grandchildren, Annaleis, Herschel and Jameson.
There will not be a formal funeral service, but a private celebration of life.
