Herman Raley Obituary

It was a quiet morning on May 24, 2025 when the light of Herman's being left his body.
He was born in Seattle and grew up on Cottage Lake, outside of Woodinville, where there were woodlands, creeks, and an entire lake to explore, plus there was fishing. Herman often mentioned his grandmother drawing three dimensional boxes to entertain him as a child. He was captivated. He had two younger sisters.
School was not his favorite place-there was too much time indoors and too little action. He had a quick mind and liked being a joker, making people laugh in class. As a young elementary student he whistled at a pretty new teacher, for which he was sent to the principal's office and received two swats.
In fifth grade when band became a class, Herman played the snare drum. He remembered playing a spontaneous drum solo at the band's Christmas concert, much to the surprise of the band teacher. By 13 he discovered the tiple, a 10-12 string small guitar, which sparked a lifelong love of playing and buying guitars.
Herman attended Shoreline Community College right out of high school, autumn to spring, 1965-66. He was not focused on school. The one highlight of that year was Herman buying a guitar from an Alaskan fisherman, a friend of a classmate's. The head of the guitar was covered in multiple wraps of masking tape. Once Herman pulled away the tape, he saw this familiar emblem "Martin." It ended up being a 1947 Martin 000-21. He paid $75.00.
With the Vietnam draft looming, Herman joined the Air Force. He attended school in Denver, practiced in Las Vegas, and became a munitions specialist. Herman served a year in Ubon, Thailand in 1967-68. Both he and his Martin guitar returned home safely.
Herman and his high school love, Susan, married after he returned from Thailand. They drove to northern Maine in one of the worst winters on record, 1968-69. He completed the remaining 1 ½ years of his service as the airman in charge of the Education Office. His upcoming college entrance was perfectly planned. The day he left, he tossed all his uniforms in the dumpster and grew a beard, which he kept for the remainder of his life.
Herman went by the name "Les" until the second time he attended Shoreline. Community College in 1970. A fellow Far East Studies friend asked him why he chose. to be called "Les," when he could choose "Herman." They had a long conversation, and "Les" became "Herman" on that day. He was consistently on the Dean's List for the next two years, when he earned an AA degree.
Herman and Susan moved to Corvallis, Oregon in 1972, where Herman learned cabinet-making at Corvallis Cabinet & Supply. He was shop foreman after one year. He was also the father of two daughters after three years: Gabrielle in 1973 and Jessica in 1975. At this time, mid-1975, Herman had the opportunity to become part owner in a cabinet shop in Bellevue, which helped move the family closer to his mother, who needed someone to oversee her care.
In 1978 Herman and his brother-in-law, Mike Lowers, decided to begin a cabinet-making and home-construction company in Cashmere. Over time the company became known for innovative design, high quality construction, and happy clients. Scores of talented woodworkers and dedicated support personnel found good employment at Timberwood, and each one contributed to the success of the company. Herman was a creative problem-solver who liked challenges and people.
He applied the same dedication to excellence in his work as he did in researching and buying sporting gear and having fun. At Christmas time he led the "ski for a tree" group and pulled the tree out atop a sled, usually for five miles or more. He also coached elementary girls' softball teams, hiked, biked, and cross country skied. Once his daughters left for college, he decided to return to alpine skiing, find mountaineering teachers, and begin white water canoeing. Years later the grandkids began being born: Benjamin in 2004, Mia in 2006, and Eliana in 2008. Herman delighted in buying bike trailers for the kiddos to ride in, planning hiking trips for them, and being part of their beginning ski adventures. His laughter was a gift to all who heard it. He laughed often.
Throughout his life, he made beautiful music, playing guitar, singing, and often inviting fellow musicians to join him. He was pleased to have taken classical guitar lessons and to have learned to read music. The cabinet and construction company continued to thrive. He served as Timberwood's president for 41 years, from 1978-2019. Herman's nephew-Mike's son, Aaron Lowers-bought the company. Herman was confident Timberwood would benefit from Aaron's talented leadership.
Herman was a founding member of Art on the Avenues and served on the Upper Valley MEND board.
Gabrielle, her husband, Jeremy, and their family live in Galesburg, Illinois. Jessica, her husband, Kyrial, and their daughter live in Leavenworth. Susan remains in the family home.
We are ever grateful for his love, music, insight, generosity, his laughter, and his spark. Herman-Pop-PePe: we hold you in our hearts.