Hersh Mynarcik

Hereschell Arnold Mynarcik, known to most as Hersh, passed away peacefully at home June 2, 2025.

Hersh was born October 28,1943, in Owasso, Michigan, and graduated Chesaning Michigan High School in 1961. He traveled to Soldotna, Alaska, before starting college, with plans to become a disc jockey, and remained in Alaska with family and friends. He was offered employment with Standard Oil, working as a Wireline Technician. While in Alaska, Hersh joined the United States Army Reserves. He completed basic training at Fort Leonard Wood, Missouri, then returned to Alaska.

Hersh's assigned military duties included protecting the State of Alaska’s borders. He was given leadership responsibilities and under his command trained new recruits to exist and live in Alaska's harsh environment and wilderness to protect and defend Alaska's huge shores and interior land mass.

In 1972 Hersh left Alaska to invest in a Cattle Ranch in Eden Valley, Wyoming. While living in Wyoming, he worked construction on the Jim Bridger Power Plant. He purchased Imported Simmental Cattle from France and began an innovative embryo transplant breeding program. As Chairman of the Simmental Cattlemen's Association, Hersh managed and organized state and National Association livestock sales nationwide.

In 1975 he moved to Blackfoot, Idaho to a 200-acre ranch running, over 200 head of cattle while also working as a Traveling Union Boilermaker.

Through the Boilermakers Welding Union, in early 1980, Hersh was offered a position at the INEL test site in Arco, Idaho, on the Naval Reactor Facility (NRF). Employment with INEL required more time away from his land and livestock so he simplified life by leaving the Blackfoot ranch and moving to Idaho Falls. He focused on working full time at the 'Site' where he worked until he retired.

In retirement, Hersh was involved in the Idaho Falls Historic Preservation Commission. As a Master Gardener, he maintained the Japanese Friendship Garden. It is located on the Snake River in Idaho Falls on a rocky island within Sportsman Park and was developed to celebrate the sister city relationship with Tokai-Mura, Japan.

He loved NASCAR, spending cool summers at family cabins in Brian Head, Utah, and taking warm annual family vacations to Hawaii while fishing for marlin.

Hersh gave his life to Jesus at Watersprings Church in 2010. 2 Corinthians 5:8 "We are confident, I say, and would prefer to be away from the body and at home with the Lord.”

Hersh is survived by 2 sons, 3 granddaughters, and one great grandson who reside in Boise, ID and Las Vegas, NV.

He was preceded in death by his parents.

A celebration of life will be held Saturday, June 14, 2025, from 2--4 p.m. at Hersh's home, 258 Walnut Street.