Herbert "Herb" Norman Brinkerhoff

Herbert Norman Brinkerhoff — loving husband and father, respected businessman, Navy veteran  — died on December 27, 2024 in Auburn AL. Born on February 26 1932 in Dumont, NJ to Herbert Bell and Marie Christman Brinkerhoff, a railroad engineer and a baker. Herb grew up in New Jersey along with his sisters, Ida and Marion. He graduated from Dumont High School in 1950, and soon after married his high school sweetheart, Julia Ann Mynatt, on March 8, 1952. He used some of his last words to ask about his beloved “Judy.”

Herb was a loyal company man. He started out with the National Biscuit Company (Nabisco) as a sales representative in the Florida Keys, and diligently worked his way up the corporate ladder to the executive suite in New York City. He retired from RJR Nabisco as the executive vice president of strategic planning. The stage of his corporate life was Madison Avenue in the 1960s and 70s. He was, in many ways, a real life “mad man.” His biggest claim to fame is being the inventor of Double Stuf Oreo and Nutter Butter cookies (which his grandchildren love to brag about).

Herb was also a family man. His sons, John Charles Brinkerhoff, Sr. and James Sanford Brinkerhoff, were born in Jacksonville, Florida during the start of his career. His corporate drive was largely fueled by a desire to provide for them. In later years, he loved to spoil his grandchildren by hosting them at his and Julia’s condo in Pawley's Island SC and taking them on trips to Disney World. Annual traditions with the grandchildren included tubing on the Waccamaw River, ‘beach’ bocce ball, and Snickers bars. Herb instilled in his children and grandchildren the importance of hard work and a college education. With help from the GI Bill, Herb earned his own degree from the University of Miami, taking classes at night while working full time for Nabisco. It is no surprise that, among his grandchildren, there are numerous BAs, MAs, PhDs, and JDs.

Herb invested deeply in the communities he cared about. He and Julia enjoyed an annual reunion with their high school friends from Dumont for decades. He also served as a charter member and deacon at the Grand Strand Church of Christ in SC, where he and Julia retired. He and others in the “over the hill gang” built much of the physical church building themselves. Since moving to Auburn, he and Julia have been members of the Auburn Church of Christ.

Herb’s legacy lives on through his family. He will be remembered for his integrity, work ethic, leadership, stewardship and captivating stories of being an ad man in the golden age of advertising.

Herb is survived by his wife of 72 years, Julia; his son, John Sr. (Fresia Vega); daughters-in-law Nan and Mary; grandchildren Samuel, Joshua (Sara), Amy (Johnny Pak), John Jr. (Leigh), Anna (Jason Bramburger), Rebekah, Ben (Marybeth) and great-grandchildren Ellie Baker, Naomi James, Livy Ann, Teddy James, Jesse William, and Margaret Julia. He is predeceased by his parents, his sisters, and his son, Jim – whom he called Sandy. 

There will be a graveside service at Town Creek Cemetery at noon on Monday, December 30th. Micah Cobb and Ben Brinkerhoff will be officiating.

Memorial donations can be made to College Ministry Apprenticeship, Campus View Church of Christ 1360 S. Lumpkin St., Athens, GA 30605 or Friendship Missionary Baptist Church, 432 Maple St., Opelika, AL 36801.