Herman Stern

Herman Stern (1887-1980), humanitarian, social and economic activist, businessman, visionary and director of the North Dakota Winter Show, Holocaust rescuer.

Born Germany in 1887, Herman Stern immigrated to America in 1903, where he took work at the Straus Clothing store in Casselton, then managed the Straus businesses from his store in Valley City, where he lived for the remainder of his life. In addition to his businesses, charitable work and support of the Boy Scouts of America, Stern developed the North Dakota Winter Show.

In the 1930s, with the aid of his wife Adeline and active cooperation from U.S. Senator Gerald Nye, Stern managed to save the lives of over 125 German Jewish refugees bringing them to the United States. He said little in later life about rescuing so many men and women from inevitable death in the Holocaust, noting only “they did not owe me anything.” For his many achievements and contributions to the state, Stern was inducted into the Theodore Roosevelt Rough Rider Hall of fame in 2014 by North Dakota Governor Jack Dalyrmple.

Herman Stern was inducted into the Casselton Lodge No. 3 of Freemasonry in 1908. In 1913 Mr. Stern became a member of the Valley City Lodge. He was a member of the Ancient and Accepted Scottish Rite and was a Master Mason.

Mr. Stern was a member of Rotary International a service oriented organization.

Herman Stern was the founder of the Greater North Dakota Chamber. The Greater North Dakota Chamber promotes business development and North Dakota tourism, the organization also celebrated its 90th anniversary as of 2014.

Mr. Stern founded an organization called the Community Chest. The organization is the predecessor to the current United Way of Barnes County.

In 1974 Herman Stern was awarded the Silver Buffalo Award, bestowed by the Boy Scouts of America in recognition of exceptional service to youth.

Camp Wilderness created an award named after Herman Stern, in recognition of his funding and creation efforts for the camp. The Herman Stern Honor Troop Award is given to troops at the end of each week of camp during the summer season. The award is given to Boy Scout troops for camp participation, and adherence to the twelve points of the Scout Law.