Herman Alexander Zullow, the cherished and beloved son of Keith Zullow and Kathleen Moriarty, the loving brother of Madeleine, Lillian and Hannah Zullow, and the adored grandson of Marlene Zullow, passed away on Sunday, August 9, 2020, at the too young age of 20.
Herman was born in Manhattan, New York, on April 19, 2000. He lived almost half his life in Ossining, New York, and then moved to Princeton Junction, New Jersey, where he attended The College of New Jersey.
Herman was a quiet, gentle soul with a quirky sense of humor. As a child, he enjoyed inventing silly characters and games when playing with his younger sisters. He shared inside jokes with his sisters and was often heard laughing late into the night while gaming online with his friends. He also loved his pets (two dogs and two cats) and had a special bond with them. They brought him great comfort and joy, especially during times of turmoil.
From a young age Herman showed a strong interest in the outdoors and nature, something that matured into a lifelong love for hiking and adventure. Between family trips and camps, he bungee jumped and hiked mountains all over the world, including glaciers in Iceland, the Inca Trail and Machu Picchu in Peru, Pulpit Rock and Kjeragbolten in Norway, and many others in the United States. During such hikes, Herman’s compassionate side would shine through, as he could often be found with the slowest hikers making sure that they were okay or raising group spirits through trail games. Herman also surfed sand dunes in Peru, surfed 15-foot waves in Hawaii and even surfed with his sisters in the Arctic Circle.
Herman’s greatest passion was technology. He would take apart old phones and other devices to learn how they worked. This curiosity for electronics morphed into a talent for computer programming and software engineering. Herman was a self–taught programmer in multiple languages and successfully built and fixed computers and other devices for himself and loved ones. Some of Herman’s happiest times were when he was tinkering with an electronic device and searching for ways to make it work.
Since age nine, Herman battled health issues with physical and psychological manifestations, including anxiety and depression. He was diagnosed with an autoimmune disorder known as PANS/PANDAS (Pediatric Neuropsychiatric Disorders Associated with Streptococcal Infections) that caused inflammation in the brain and neurological and psychological symptoms, including anxiety, OCD and tics. He was later diagnosed with Bartonella, an insect borne bacterial disorder that can also have psychological manifestations, including anxiety and depression. Unfortunately, the stress of college combined with his battles with these physical and mental illnesses proved too much for him to bear. Though Herman’s time with his family was short, he touched many lives and was loved deeply by those around him. His family cherishes his memory as the brief gift it was.
In lieu of flowers, the family respectfully requests that memorial contributions be made to the Brain and Behavior Research Foundation (https://www.bbrfoundation.org/) and the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention (https://afsp.org/).
Keith, our heart goes out to you, Cathleen, Madalyn, Lilly and Hannah. Our sincere condolences. May Herman always be remembered for the special person he was and the fun times you had as a family. Gail and Dan Rosner
Please accept my sincerest condolences. We never lose the people we love, even to death. Their memory becomes our treasure. Richard ware
Dear Zullow Family,
My heartfelt condolence and sympathy to all of you. This news hit me hard since you shared so many of your children funny stories as they grow during the years. I do hope all of you can find the strength during this difficult time. May his soul find peace.
Im sorry for your loss. He was a blessed gift to our family. I remember the first day I met him when he was a little boy. It was just the beginning of his life. He grew up to be a handsome young boy and we hoped for the best of him. I am so sad to hear of this tragedy. Because he had his whole life ahead of him. He was Poppys best friend and defender. He came up to me and said I like you,your not so bad. Then last christmas he was nice enough to be by my side in the waiting room for my Mom. He followed me out there to simply show he was rooting for me fighting for me fighting for my mom,his Nana.He was a good friend,nephew,and grandson. Sensitive to the lonely,elderly,poor,depressed, and marginalized. Madys best friend and Lily,and Hannah dont have a big brother anymore. Thats so sad.But most of all I wish he could have been in Memphis to see the rest of his family. Lots of cousins eager to welcome him with open arms. Miriam MacDonalds kids are his same age. They could have changed his scenery. Now he is with Poppy and Nana.
Dear Keith and Cathleen, Words cannot convey how sad and sorry we are. Herman was such a sweet little boy. Our sincerest condolences. – Erica Kuo and Thom Kim
Keith:
My deepest condolences to you and your family.
Lou Sorell
Keith, my deepest condolences to you and your family. I still remember Herman, and your daughters, as sweet little children exploring the 30th floor of the NY office. My heart, thoughts and prayers go out to you all during this difficult time.
Alison F
Dear Keith, Kathleen, and the girls,
There are no words to completely capture how sorry I am. While I didn’t know Herman from a great deal of personal interaction, I felt like I knew him quite well through Keith’s many colorful stories and anecdotes about Herman over the years when we worked together. This feeling of closeness was reinforced by Herman’s picture in the Zullow annual family holiday cards that we received. Herman will be sorely missed, and I wish the entire Zullow family great strength through this tragic time.
Keith, Kathleen and Family,
I’m so sorry for your loss. I am sending you strength and love. You spoke beautifully about Herman and conveyed so clearly his playful spirit, and you showed amazing courage in speaking of Herman’s struggles. May you find comfort in one another, in family and friends and may Herman’s memory be a blessing.
My sincerest condolences,
Emily
Keith, heartfelt condolences to you and your family. I always remember your happy stories about your kids. I am so sorry for your loss.
Keith, Kathleen and Family, I am so sorry for your loss. My thoughts and prayers are with you.
David Lansky
Keith,
My deepest condolences to you and your family. Thoughts and prayers go out to you and your family.
John
Keith & Family: My deepest sympathies and condolences for your loss. I fondly recall you always relayed such wonderful stories about Herman and all of your children. I am wishing all of you strength, healing, and comfort in this very difficult time.
Keith and Family,
My deepest sympathies for your loss. Sending you strength during this difficult time, you will be in my thoughts and prayers.
Keith, Kathleen and family,
Our condolences and sympathies for your loss. Our prayers go out to you all.
The Harris Family
Herman was a remarkable young man and Keith and Kathleen, you are remarkable parents. The loved shared in your family was inspiring and breathtaking as it was easily seen during the services and shiva. The pain of your loss is something that is unimaginable and our hearts are broken too.
Dianne and Scott
Kathleen,
My deepest condolences to you, Keith, and your girls on the loss of Herman. My thoughts and prayers are with all of you during this difficult time for your family. May Herman’s memory be for a blessing.
Dear Keith,
I am so sorry for your loss. My deepest condolences to you and your family.
Ed
Dear Zullow family,
My thoughts are with you during this tragic time. My oldest son (20) also has PANS/PANDAS, and I understand the pain, the fear, the worry, the suicide watches, and everything else that comes with this thief of our children’s happiness and lives, PANS/PANDAS. No parent should have to experience this worst of all possible outcomes, nor their children. My heart goes out to you.
Kind regards,
Melissa Stutler
SEPPA (SE PANS and PANDAS Association) Board Member
Dear Zullow family, you have my most heartfelt condolences. It breaks my heart hearing about his precious life being cut short.
A fellow Pandas mom
Amanda.
Dear Zullow family,
Your sad news has reached the UK PANS/PANDAS community. There are no words. I am so sorry that our worst fears are your reality.
Keith and Kathleen,
We were so sorry to hear of Herman’s passing. We never met Herman, but from what Marlene has told us (and details from his obituary), he was a very special person. Praying that we make the strides in mental illness research to help those suffering so terribly. I have been struggling with OCD my entire life (PANDAS). My heart goes out to what Herman went through and the entire family. Clearly there’s some genetic component in there…
Please stay strong and remember to love you shared with Herman.
Your cousin, Wendy
Dear Kathleen,
I am so saddened to hear of your loss and my heart is with your family during this time. Thank you fo sharing the short but beautiful life story of your beloved son Herman. I remember him in Elementary school and he was always sweet. My deepest condolences and hugs to you and your family. Please let me know if I can help or comfort you in anyway.
With deepest sympathies,
Jacqueline Fernandes and Sean Vincent
West Windsor
Dear Zullow Family,
We were so sorry to hear of this loss that has reached us all in the PANDAS/PANS community. A beautiful light extinguished all too soon. I can only imagine the heartbreak. And my heart aches for you. May you be surrounded by the love of family and friends as they hold you through this time. We will continue to fight for awareness, acceptance and more for these beautiful PANDAS/PANS children.
Sincerely,
Sarah Lemley
Executive Director
Northwest PANDAS/PANS Network (NWPPN)
Dear Zullow Family.
We are so sorry for your loss. Please accept our deepest condolences. Our thoughts and prayers are with you.
Lainie Asch and Family
So very sorry for your family’s loss. PANS/PANDAS is an awful illness, which takes so much joy from our children. I was glad to read Herman’s adventures, and know there are high points in the struggle. Wishing you all peace and serenity in this time.
I feel blessed to have had the opportunity to work with Herman and his sisters. I will long remember his noble struggle for understanding and clarity in the face of disabling disease. My thoughts are with you all.
Bill
Kathleen I am so sorry to hear the news of son. I hope he has found peace. My heart is sad for your loss. Please know you are all in my thoughts. I send you strength during these so trying times.
Hi…I do not know your family personally but I have a child with PANDAS (and Bartonella). I know the severity of the pain these children and young adults go through. I am so sorry for your loss. Your son seemed to have great experiences around the world which I admire based on all that was going on. My heart breaks for your family. I will be thinking of you all for a long time.
Hello, my name is Learose. I live at the top of Maine. I did not know of your son/brother personally but I deeply feel for your family. He happened to pass away on my sons 9th birthday. My son has bartonella. Reading the story of things your boy accomplished was beautiful and my heart could not be more with you all. I sincerely wish you all comfort and love during this time.
Dear Zullow Family,
The first time I saw Herman was at cousin Marshall’s memorial. Herman was running along the beach with his cousins, he was so full of joy. Herman was so lucky to have such a wonderful family that gave him so much love. We will always have great memories of Herman. No matter were we are in life Herman will always be with us. May he rest in peace.
From,
Cousin Rose and Larry
With our heartfelt sympathy and kind thoughts to you and your family we send during this sad time. Herman touched the lives of others and is dearly missed. He will always be a precious memory because of the kind of person he was.
Sending our deepest heartfelt condolences to your family during this very sad time. There are no words that will ever remove the pain of your loss. Daily may God give the strength (Ps.34:18) to cope. Herman touched the lives of many, is dearly loved and missed.