Eldon “Eldy” Herman passed away recently after a long life filled with dedicated service to a
number of groups and organizations. Eldy was among a small group of local auto enthusiasts
that created the sport of stock car racing in the Bismarck-Mandan area. He raced along with his
brother, Dacotah Speedway Hall of Fame driver Lefty Herman, from its very inception in the mid
1950’s. He loved to race, but his real passion in life was to make anything with an engine go
fast. He was a lifelong machinist and engine builder in the area.His specialty was Ford engines,
but his ever present smile could be seen whenever he heard a big engine come to life in a race
Car.
Eldy served his country in the US Army during the Korean War and came back to Bismarck
right when racing was starting in the area. He married Phyllis Renz, who was the sister of
Dorothy Gartner—the wife of Johnny Gartner—who was a fellow race car driver. Eldy became
the common denominator between two long time racing families that were hard competitors, but
Eldy assisted both on and off the track.
Herman worked for Modern Machine for over 35 years. Working on cars did not end when
Herman gave up his racing career, so his association with Modern Machine was a natural as it
allowed him to continue working on engines and anything mechanical. During this time he also
got involved in several local car clubs that were restoring pre-and post WWII cars in the
area.Eldy was the go to person if you had to rebuild an old Model A or T engine.
Volunteering and giving back to youth was also important to Herman. He was an active member
of local church groups and the Dakota Christian Camp in Washburn for kids. He also served on
the initial Dacotah Speedway HOF committee as his knowledge of the pioneer era was
instrumental in selecting deserving race car drivers when almost no information was available.
Herman knew these original drivers very well.
For many years at every local race track, one face was always visible in the grandstands. Eldy,
along with his son Gordy and his children ,were often out there cheering on his nephews and
relatives from several generations that were racing.
As Eldy speeds away from his very active life, he leaves behind his his son Gordon and wife
Sheila, grandson Jacob-Bismarck, and granddaughter Ariana of Moorhead, MN