Hertha “Hap” Strohschein

With heavy hearts, we announce the passing of Hertha "Hap" Strohschein Colbath, who passed away on February 2, 2025, at the age of 71. She peacefully departed in the comfort of her home in Bennington, Vermont, after a courageous battle with cancer.

Born on April 4, 1953, in Einbeck, Germany, Hertha was the daughter of Erich and Adeline (Selent) Strohschein. At just six weeks old, she emigrated with her family on the freighter Beaverbrae to Alberta, Canada, later settling in Windsor, Ontario. She was the third of six children. In 1971, after graduating from Walkerville High School in Windsor, Hertha and much of her family moved to the United States, making their home in Indianapolis, Indiana.

Hertha served in the United States Air Force from 1972 to 1994, retiring as a Master Sergeant. She began her military career in the Passenger Terminal at Altus, Oklahoma, and later at Peterson Field in Colorado Springs, Colorado. After becoming a U.S. citizen, she transitioned to the role of In-Flight Passenger Service Specialist, serving at Andrews AFB in Maryland and Hickam AFB in Hawaii. Hertha was among the first women to join the elite Special Airlift Mission unit of the 89th Airlift Wing, where she traveled the world, providing service to dignitaries, including the Vice President of the United States and multiple Secretaries of State.

On April 3, 1993, Hertha married Keith Colbath in the Baltimore Harbor. Together, they moved to Bennington, Vermont where they built a loving home. In 1995, Hertha and Keith welcomed their son, Jeremiah, who brought them immeasurable joy. In 2017, she warmly welcomed her daughter-in-law, Christy, into the family, and in September 2024, she was blessed with the arrival of her first grandchild, Adelyn.

Hertha will be remembered for her deep compassion, kindness, generosity, and professionalism. Her nieces and nephews adored her, feeling truly valued and heard in her presence. To her friends, she was a kindred spirit. She cherished good conversations over coffee and found joy in downhill skiing.

For eight years, she worked at the Veterans Administration Medical Clinic in Bennington, Vermont, where she made a lasting impact with her kindness, humor, and unwavering dedication. She was the heart of the clinic, greeting everyone with her cheerful "Good Morning!" and ensuring things ran smoothly. Her presence created a sense of camaraderie that endeared her to veterans and reminded them of the good times in the service.

Hertha and her family were devoted members of the Missionary Alliance Church in Bennington, Vermont, where she lived out her faith in Jesus Christ. She found strength and comfort in Romans 15:13: "May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in Him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit." Until her final days, she remained steadfast in her faith and hope in her Lord and Savior.

Hertha is survived by her beloved husband, Keith Colbath of Bennington, Vermont; her son, Jeremiah (Christy) Colbath of Salt Lake City, Utah; her brothers, George (Lorna) Strohschein of Akron, Indiana, and Carl (Marilyn) Strohschein of Reno, Nevada; and her sisters, Wilhelmine Sante of Quebec, Canada, and Liesel (Cecil) Miller of Redlands, California. She is also survived by her cherished granddaughter, Adelyn Colbath, her father-in-law, Alfred Colbath, and many beloved nieces and nephews: Stephan (Genevieve) Sante, Sylvia (Chris) Gilchrist, Benjamin (Lisa) Sante, Aura Strohschein, Tamar (Kirk) Osborne, Nathan Strohschein, David Osgood, Daniel Osgood, Eric Osgood, Carmen (Jeff) Mercer, Morgan Strohschein (Jeffrey) Graham, Monica Strohschein, Nicholas Sante, Elizabeth Sante, Marissa Gilchrist, Aaron Gilchrist, Nathaniel Gilchrist, Camilla Sante, Sophia Sante, Jacob Strohschein, Jackson Strohschein, Konrad Osborne, Kaleb Osborne, Elise Mercer, and Olivia Mercer.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Erich and Adeline Strohschein; her sister, Rosa (Strohschein) Osgood; her brother-in-law, Armand Osgood; her brother-in-law, Karl Heintz Sante; her brother-in-law, Gene Cassidy; and her mother-in-law, Dot Colbath.

Service Details:

Funeral services will be held at Community Bible Church 160 Bridges Rd, Williamstown, MA 01267  on February 15 at 10:00AM.
Interment will follow at Park Lawn Cemetery in Bennington, VT.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions in Hertha’s memory may be made to Bennington Project Independence c/o Hanson Walbridge Shea Funeral Home P.O. Box 957 Bennington, VT 05201