Camp Courageous is saddened by the passing of Martin Hermes, 40, of Sterling, IL.  Martin was a favorite at Camp Courageous and came for nearly 20-years.  He was a regular for Lions Visually Impaired Week.  Camp received many special notes from family and friends about Martin’s joy of coming to Camp, and how much he was loved.  We thought we would share some:

*You have an amazing camp.  I enjoyed looking at the pictures of Martin’s adventures for many years.

*Martin loved his years at camp, and I enjoyed the experience every year when I assisted in dropping him off…

*Martin was a sweet and very kind person. I remember how gentle he was and how he was loved by his brothers and sisters. My sincere condolences. He was a treasure. –Mary Grace Anderson

*God bless you and your family for the beautiful care and love you have Martin over the years. It is an impactful example of selflessness and faith to me, especially now as a parent. God grant him rest, and now we ask Martinto intercede for us in a more profound way with Our Lord!  -Anthony & Angela (Hermes) Sedun

*I have never known a brother as loved as Martin. Mary, and Hermes family, – you are in our thoughts, in our prayers, and in our hearts. Love – The Burtons.

On Jan 8, 2020, at 11:35 PM, Rachel Hermes wrote:

Dear Mr. Becker,

Happy New Year! My brother, Martin Hermes, has attended – and loved – camp for the past 15 years or so. 

My fiance Karl and I had the opportunity to participate in the Sprint Triathlon this past year in Cedar Rapids, and hope to do so again! When we get married this coming May, we would like to include donations to Camp Courageous as an option for a wedding gift.  Could you – or someone you designate – let us know the best way to go about setting this up?

Many thanks,
Rachel Hermes

 *Martin always had a smile for me. I knew him better when we were children & teenagers, but when I was blessed to get the chance to visit with him in our adulthood, he always left me feeling hopeful & buoyed. I think this was because Martin was one of those rare adults who was able to sustain his genuine love of life into adulthood. He also maintained his light-filled and fun-loving personality; I have always attributed this maintenance to his enormous strength of character and the abundance of light and love with which his home was filled every day. Martin never wanted for love, as he was surrounded by it constantly and unconditionally; and he, in turn, never held love back. He was always a beaming light in the room–I say “a” beaming light and not “the” beaming light because to know those who filled Martin’s home is to know a great many brilliant, blazing, beacons of light. One of the most significant blessings of my life has been to know the lights in that home. That’s where Martin lived his life: as one among many glorious, loving, boisterous, sparkling lights who all lit up the most when they were with their Martin. He is so clearly a source of love, virtue, and strength for his family…

Anne Hermes

Obviously, Martin made a lasting impress in all those who knew him.  Martin loved his time at Camp Courageous and his family would like to see his memorial donations come to Camp Courageous.  www.campcourageous.org/donate