On Saturday, as the Lassen County Fair parade rolls down Main Street, Lassen County will honor Bob and Jonnee Hershberger as this year’s parade Grand Marshals.
Their story in Lassen County began in 1966, when Bob, fresh from completing his military service in 1961 and armed with degrees from Chico High, Chico State, and a UC Davis Master’s in agricultural education, along with his teaching certificate, decided to put down roots with Jonnee, his wife since 1960.
Their two sons, Welton and Jon, would soon come to know the rhythms of farm life and community service their parents embodied.
Before he became a fixture in local education, Bob was a journeyman plumber, contributing to the construction of the Antelope Dam project and even lending his skills to the first Safeway Market in Susanville. But it was in the classroom and on the farm that Bob truly left his mark. For nine years, he was the heart of the Lassen High School’s agriculture, FFA, and welding programs, molding young minds and hands. His dedication continued at Lassen Community College for 23 years, where he led the Mechanized Agriculture department, teaching a wide array of courses and even traveling to local ranches to provide college credits to working young adults in agriculture.
Bob’s commitment extended far beyond the school walls. For 11 years, he served on the Shaffer school board, shaping the future of local education. He operated a small orchard, not just for personal gain, but as a living classroom, teaching high school students the art of pruning and harvesting. Students recall camping trips, apple cider made from their own presses, and cutting wood for fundraisers – all under Bob’s patient guidance. He was a constant presence, taking young adults to Parli Pro, Cow Palace, and livestock judging competitions, always preparing them for the Lassen County Fair.
To this day, many in the community credit Bob for teaching them invaluable life lessons.
The Hershberger family also cultivated a thriving farm from 1973 to 2005, providing high-quality alfalfa to Lassen County and surrounding areas. Their entrepreneurial spirit didn’t stop there. They raised 500 beehives, supplying local residents with honey, aiding in pollination, and even shipping bees to Canada. This led to their well-loved Honey Shack on their Standish ranch, which later blossomed into the cherished gift store, Hershberger and Willinghams, a twelve-year partnership with Joyce Willingham that provided memorable gift and décor options to the community.
In 2000, Bob and Jonnee finally retired, settling into the home Jonnee designed and Bob and his family built on a part of the ranch they had farmed for over two decades. Though officially retired, the notion of “relaxing” doesn’t quite fit Bob Hershberger. At 84, you can still find him welding, splitting wood, or engaged in some form of labor; a rocking chair simply isn’t in his nature.
This Saturday, the Hershberger legacy will continue through a new generation as he helps his great-granddaughters with their mini moo projects.
You’ll spot him at the Lassen County Fair, looking over all the projects, a testament to a life dedicated to community, education, and the enduring spirit of Lassen County.
