When I think of George, the first image that comes to mind is his raised eyebrows and his open mouthed smile. George was so full of enthusiasm and savored life. As brilliant as he was, he was able to hold on to his childlike wonder. He was so appreciative and thoughtful.

I am Betsy’s sister and have been fortunate to have known George for fifty-five years. George loved his family. He was wonderful to our mother. He always had a photo or story to tell about his sons and their children.

My husband Kevin and I visited them at their summer home in Camden, Maine. These photos were taken enjoying a lobster dinner. The double rainbow was the perfect ending to a wonderful evening. We are so sad that George is no longer with us, but his spirit lives on in everyone who is reading this. George loved Maine and we are grateful that it was in Camden, surrounded by his loving family, where he peacefully passed on. We miss you and love you George! 

Dear Betsy, Boys, and all of the Sherman Family,

Our entire Amrein Family was shocked and so very sorry to hear this.  We all loved "Mr. Sherman."  All of you have been family to us for many years, beginning way back in Houston, then on to Chicago, and finally back to Baltimore.  We have so many fond memories of "The Shermans." All of you have been in our hearts, and continue to be in our thoughts and prayers.  Sending much love and hugs to all of you.

Love,

Kathy

George was curious and interested. He listened. He could discern the truth about a person after meeting them for the first time.  He accomplished so many achievements in his lifetime.  I believe he found his greatest as a grandfather.  It gave him such joy to see his sons as fathers and uncles and drew them closer.  

Betsy and George have blessed my life for 40 years. They have been a constant source of love, compassion and guidance.  George, I am so thankful that you lived and had the courage to be real.

                                                                                                                                                             Breda, September 12th 2021

Dear Betsy,

It is difficult for me to find the right words to express how sorry I am to learn about George’s passing away.

I believe in anybody’s life there are only a few keypersons outside the family who have a lasting impact on the way we think and act, make important decisions, broaden our judgmental capability, help us appreciate the good things in life more ….. all of it to make someone’s life more meaningful.

George was one of those persons in my life.

Over many years I had the privilege to get to know him as a dedicated business leader, who tirelessly tried to reach higher perfection in any kind of endeavor.

I got to know him as a highly intelligent, hardworking man, never too tired to put in the ‘extra mile’. His high energy level combined with his competitiveness made him a successful business leader.

However, even under sometimes very difficult circumstances, George never lost sight of the ‘Human Side of the Enterprise’, which earned him the respect and the loyalty of many business associates.

I experienced these competitive mind settings of George not only in business related issues, but also during off business hours. On some of those occasions it had hilarious results or at least were good for a worthy anecdote.

Years ago, I think Susy was 11 years old, George competed on a Sunday morning with her on the trampoline in our garden in Breda. It was an unfair competition, Susy had practiced a lot over many months, but George didn’t give up easily.

I played with him Squash during a free half day at a Planning conference in Palm Springs and Tennis at my friend’s house in the Netherlands. And not to forget my frantic attempt to keep up with the dolphins at your house at the seashore. I lost every time and George had a big smile on his face. Deservedly so.

George also made it a little contest, who can stay up the longest after a lengthy business trip. When he traveled in the early days of our Emerson period from Chicago to Amsterdam the plane usually arrived early in the morning. After checking in at the hotel and a quick shower he was ready to spend a full day in the office and didn’t mind to attend subsequently a lengthy dinner, even though I saw him occasionally really fighting to keep his eyes open.

On the other hand, when I had to be in Chicago for a meeting, I felt obliged to get from the airport directly into the office at around 6 pm local time. Due to the time difference it was all past midnight were I came from. George invited me usually for dinner and to discuss some urgent matters. By the time I got to bed it was around 5 am Amsterdam time.

Usually I survived this endurance test, but one time I needed to get between the main course and dessert some cold water in my face. Apparently I lost my consciences and found myself on the floor in the bathroom. I think I was lying there only for a few minutes. I don’t think George had noticed the intermezzo in the bathroom.

There are, of course, many, many more occasions were George - and you - made my and Anneliese’s life more enjoyable, more exciting and thankful.

One such occasion was enjoying together with our seven children the musical “Annie” at McCormick place in Chicago and eating Super-Hotdogs afterwards. Our children talked about the show and about the hotdogs for months thereafter.

Your invitation to your home at the sea sight, the wonderful long weekend in Venice and at Lake Garda in Italy, your present for our first grandchild, the flowers at my mother’s funeral in Germany, all those kind considerations and countless other thoughts and deeds far beyond the business relationship have been a blessing for me and my family.

Dear Betsy, I hope you have the loving support of your family to master this difficult time. 

My thoughts are with you,

Hermann

As so many other people have already written, it is very difficult to put in words how special a person George Sherman was. He touched all the bases-a devoted husband and father, an incredible business leader and and a philanthropist so generous with both his fortune and his time.  If you were an investor in one of his companies as we  once were, you often didn’t spend a lot of time learning all the details of the company because for us and for many it was just a “bet on George”. That is how highly he was thought of in the business world. Everyone knows how generous George and Betsy have been to so many worthy causes in our community but  they also have given much more than just financial support. As an example I am involved  at Cristo ReyJesuit High School, where they support 10 students each year. They didn’t just underwrite  the tuition cost of the 10 scholars;they also took a personal interest in each of their careers-lunching with them each semester and providing graduation presents to each.

We first met the Shermans through our mutual involvement at UMBC and feel blessed with their friendship and the many good times we have had. We’ll always remember George’s raucous laughter, his take charge style, his big heart and of course his high energy level.  He will be so greatly missed. Our hearts go out to Betsy and the entire Sherman family.

Earl and Darielle Linehan 

Dear Betsy and the boys and family, 

Our hearts go out to you with our deepest sympathy. We remember all our fun and energetic times together— at your home in Florida, at our house, at the Walters, and of course at your wedding celebration. I continue to think of George as a first class sports car— hair slicked back, eyes in focus, body revved up with energy. Always ready to go. 

I was gleeful when I heard about his time with the board of Campbell soup and affiliates.  George indulged me by looking at my childhood album of Campbell soup kids— that I had cut from magazine ads and pasted into many pages. I told him I had found that kid alive in Gary. Later, George thoughtfully sent me a book about Campbell soup history and those kids. 

George was a life force, and we will miss him indeed. 

Elana and Gary Vikan