Hershel Wayne Gober (December 21, 1936 – October 15, 2024) was an American government official and Vietnam War veteran. He served as acting United States Secretary of Veterans Affairs (VA) on two occasions during the administration of Bill Clinton: first from July 1, 1997, until January 2, 1998, between the resignation of Secretary Jesse Brown and the appointment of Togo D. West Jr. as acting secretary, and the second time from July 25, 2000, until January 20, 2001, He started out in the VA as deputy secretary, serving from February 4, 1993, Gober was also briefly secretary-designate, when Clinton named him on July 31, 1997, to replace Jesse Brown. However, the nomination was withdrawn before Senate action on October 27 the same year he also wished to stay as Deputy Secretary.

During his tenure Gober, as a close and longtime aide, played an important role in the Clinton-era VA. He was also active in improving health care and expanding clinics for veterans.

Gober died on October 15, 2024, at the age of 87.

Military service

Gober served in the U.S. Marine Corps from 1956 to 1959. He served in the U.S. Army from 1961 to 1978, retiring as a Major.

Service in Vietnam

Gober served two tours in Vietnam.

Music

In 1970, Gober released a 45 rpm single, "Picture of a Man", which received some airplay on popular music radio stations.

Gober had at least five single releases and one album as a recording artist; the first two were as Hershel Almond on Ace and Challenge in 1959. The others were on ABC ("The Proud American", 1966), "Tee Pee" (1967) and "Buddah" (1969).

See also

  • Unsuccessful nominations to the Cabinet of the United States

References

  • Encyclopedia of Arkansas History & Culture entry
  • Profile at American President: An Online Reference Resource
  • Recordings of Gober singing songs in Vietnam are available in the Edward G. Lansdale collection at the Hoover Institution Archives, Stanford University

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