“To this day, it still encompasses what we believe, and what Fairfield is all about. It holds meaning to everything that we do here,” said Mayor Steve Miller, who called Hershner “an artist and visionary.”
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The seal represents “the integrated characteristics” established Fairfield, known as the City of Opportunity, according to the city’s then Department of Planning and Transportation.
Hershner received a $100 savings bond for the winning contest entry for the city seal selected from 40 top entries. But it’s something he never sought praise or credit for, said son Terry Hershner.
Terry Hershner said he and his siblings — Steven, Christy and Jeffrey — were often recognized as the kids designer of the city’s seal.
“It made us feel pretty good,” he said of his father’s creation. But their dad never bragged about the seal, or anything else.
Ted Hershner received his artist training through the Central Art Academy, and other industrial, presentation and communication courses. He worked for a few local businesses, as well as General Electric in Evandale.
After G.E., he became a small business owner when he started Hershner Landscaping & Garden and ran that for several years with his son, Terry. Hershner sold that business and he and Terry started Hershner Homes and built new homes in the area. They were in the home construction business for nearly 15 years. Hershner was a lifetime member of the service club Fairfield Optimist.
Ted Hershner also enjoyed helping people, his son said. He was always going somewhere.
“If you needed him, all you had to do was call him,” Terry Hershner said.
But sometimes you didn’t need to ask for Ted Hershner’s help, whether it was a fuel can with gas for a stranger or a landscape plan for a friend.
Hershner designed a custom landscape plan a few years ago for Miller when he moved into his current home, the mayor and Terry Hershner said.
“He just enjoyed getting out and seeing people,” said Terry Hershner. “That was what his enjoyment was.”
Memorial contributions may be sent to Joe Nuxhall's Miracle League Field, P.O. Box 18146 Fairfield, Ohio 45014. Hershner was entombed on Friday at Rose Hill Burial Park Mausoleum in Hamilton. (OBIT HAD ENTOMBMENT)
Fairfield’s city seal
The seal represents “the integrated characteristics” established Fairfield, known as the City of Opportunity, according to the city’s then Department of Planning and Transportation. The symbols on the seal represent:
• The eagle at the top of the seal: This part represents the “importance and interdependence” of federal, state and local governments, which implies “that the local government functions within their jurisdiction for the good of all.”
• The bible and books at the left of the seal: This part of the seal represents “the interdependence of religion and education and their combined influence on the ideals and policies of the city and its citizens.”
• The factory at the right of the seal: This part of the seal represents “industry, and its key position in the economy of the city.”
• The nuclear symbol at the bottom of the seal: This part of the seal represents the “future growth and prosperity of Fairfield.”
Source: City of Fairfield
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