"We remember Herb's smile for everyone, especially his grandchildren. And his dedication to faith, family and staying engaged in current events. He will be missed. Our deepest condolences to the family on your loss. --Sue and Greg Lamont"
In loving memory of
Herb Best
October 30, 1940 - May 31, 2024
Livestream link: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/83738106015?pwd=wylSQeCVbPXlQxa64VMOygn7CezUav.1
Meeting ID: 837 3810 6015
Passcode: 909099
Herbert August Best, 83, passed away peacefully on Friday, May 31st at Green Hills Health Care Center. Born in 1940 in Oceanside, NY, he graduated from Sidney High School in Sidney, NY, and went on to attend Colgate University in Hamilton, NY, where he graduated with a bachelor's degree in history. He continued his education at Northwestern University, earning a master's degree in teaching.
Herb was a history and social studies teacher at Ridgewood High School in Norridge, IL, where he worked for nearly 40 years, excluding his 2 years of Army service during the Vietnam War in 1967-69. In 1970, he married Linda Marie Snyder, the love of his life. In 1974 their first son Christopher was born, and later that year, the family, with Linda's sister Barbara Snyder, moved to England for a year while Herb participated in a Fulbright Teaching Fellowship. They returned to their home in Hoffman Estates, IL, and in 1979 their son Jeremy was born. The family moved to Streamwood, IL, where they would live happily for the next 35 years. Linda and Herb moved to Ames, Iowa, in 2017 to be closer to son Jeremy and his family.
Herb was active in his church community, the Arlington Heights Congregational UCC in Illinois, and Ames UCC here in Iowa. He was an unabashed liberal and active in politics as a volunteer with HanDI, a Democratic political volunteer organization in Hanover Park, IL. After his retirement he and Linda became highly active in the local peace movement in Chicago's Northwest suburbs, organizing and participating in marches and demonstrations against the Iraq War. He wrote --and had published--multiple letters to the editor. He was a skilled chess player, who played postal chess, online and the occasional live tournament. He loved to travel, visiting all 50 states and more than a dozen countries; sharing his journeys with Linda, Chris, and Jeremy. Herb was a Trekkie, a Whovian (Dr. Who), an avid reader of science fiction and a devoted fan of Stephen King. In his later years, he continued to follow politics and the news, sharing his views by email with friends and family, and still drafting the occasional letter to his local newspapers.
Herb will be dearly missed by his brother, Roger Best; sons, Christopher (Anna Maria) and Jeremy (Amy) Best; grandchildren, Benjamin, Abigail, and Noah; and nephews, Kenneth and Timothy Best. He was preceded in death by his parents and dear wife, Linda.
Memorial contributions can be directed to Amnesty International, Doctors Without Borders or Planned Parenthood of the Heartland (Iowa).
A memorial service will be held on Thursday, June 6, 2024, at 2:00 p.m. at the Ames United Church of Christ (217 6th Street, Ames, Iowa 50010).
Online condolences may be directed to grandonfuneralandcremationcare.com