Pablo Herrera

May 15, 1985 - June 27, 2022

How do you write an obituary for someone so important in your life? I suppose you start by saying that they were born in Northern Colorado, and so so they always had a deep love for the mountains. The third child to Betsy and Dave Herrera, Pablo was a curly haired trouble maker. They played soccer, with their dad as a coach. They loved to be in the kitchen with their mom, playing around with different things—the beginning of a talent that would fill the heart, souls, and bellies of those around them. Pablo didn’t just receive their Bachelor’s Degree in Psychology, but worked along side their professors in studies and research. They worked in early education and and with at risk youth. Their talent for knowing people and crowds made them an excellent DJ. After moving to Oregon, they began working as a social worker for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Pablo and I had our daughter Lucía Wren 3 years after we were married. Our lives were immediately filled with love and joy as well as another partner for adventure. After 5 years of camping, fishing, library runs, crafting, cooking, and eating, we brought the last member of our family into the fold: Leonard St. Jude. A wild child, he looked just like his daddy and had the rambunctious nature as well. Pablo eventually transitioned to working with food full time, taking a job at Olympia Provisions after writing a passionate letter about the impact Anthony Bourdain’s death had on them. They loved the physical labor, the fast pace, and the quick thinking required to be successful there. Pablo became a key member of the team at OP, recently being recognized as a Core Value Champion. This was such an honor to them. Pablo rediscovered their love for singing, feeling an immense amount of joy whenever they went to karaoke or sang with the kids. They were a proud member of an acappella singing group, the Jingle Janglers, and recently went back to Colorado to sing at the Greeley Children’s Chorale Anniversary. Pablo always did what they could to help others. There are countless stories about things they did, big and small, to show people they cared. We met a friend at the farmers market who wore a long sleeve shirt, not expecting it to be a warm day, and when they heard that they immediately ran to the vintage store and got her a very cool shirt to wear. After our friend’s memorial, his wife decided to go out for dinner with some of her friends as well as her mom, and Pablo went to the restaurant ahead of time and pre-ordered appetizers and cocktails. When a friend needed support for surgery, Pablo donated all of their overtime money to them. They taught another friend how to drive. They were the kind of person that spends hours determining what kind of ham their mom would have gotten when she lived in Virginia, and then sends it to her for Mother’s Day. Recently they called some people they knew and got housing secured for a houseless person on Johnson Creek. But more than anything, Pablo was always available to be there and listen. It was not uncommon for me to receive a call along the lines of, “Hey, so-and-so just found out their sister has cancer. I need to take them out for a drink” or “ I don’t think many people are going to this person‘s birthday party, so I really need to make sure I’m there” or “ I need to take my friend out; they had a really bad day at work.” They never understood the impact they had on others, but I as I was talking to friends recently, I don’t think they would have believed it even if people told them. Either way, go out and channel Pablo: climb some rocks that look a little scary, eat something delicious, do things for others, and tell people how important they are to you. Please drop your memories with Pablo here so that I can share them with Lucy and Leo.