Herbert S. Kerr, 84, the former president of Star Porcelain Company, died in Pinehurst, Saturday, April 4, 2009, from a heart attack.

Mr. Kerr, who was born in Trenton, N.J., attended Lawrenceville School. He entered the Army Air Force during World War II and became a navigator on the B17 Flying Fortress. As a 19- and 20-year-old second lieutenant, he flew more than 20 missions over Austria and Germany. On his final mission, his plane encountered heavy fire over Austria and was brought down. Only Mr. Kerr and one other crew member survived the midair explosion. Mr. Kerr was taken prisoner and was finally liberated many months later by General Patton's Third Army. His fellow crew member did not survive. Upon returning to Fort Dix in New Jersey, Mr. Kerr's first call was to his mother, who immediately burst into tears upon hearing her son's voice. She had been informed by the Army soon after the plane had been shot down that there had been no known survivors. Thereafter, Mr. Kerr talked with the families of his entire crew to explain what happened on that fateful day. He was awarded three Bronze Stars and a Purple Heart for his wartime effort.

After being discharged from the service, Mr. Kerr become a salesman for the Star Porcelain Company and quickly rose through the ranks, becoming president in his late 20s. During his tenure, the company, which manufactured electrical porcelain, experienced substantial growth and expanded its product line in many areas. Mr. Kerr also was active in many civic and business activities, including serving, at that time, as the youngest president of the Rotary Club.

Mr. Kerr married Elizabeth Fownes Scammell in 1946. They had seven children, who became the center of their lives. When not at work, Mr. Kerr, who was an avid sports enthusiast, spent many years participating in the activities of his children, including umpiring the Little League games and cheering on the children in soccer, football, and various other sporting events. After his retirement from the Star Porcelain Company in 1976, Mr. Kerr and his wife spent several months each year in Pinehurst. After his wife passed away in 2002, Mr. Kerr moved to Pinehurst, where he continued to be involved with his children, as well as his grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

Mr. Kerr was predeceased by his daughter, Marcia Kerr Clowes, and is survived by six of his children: Herbert Sinclair Kerr Jr. of Berkeley, Calif., Timothy Fownes Kerr, of Charlotte, Jeffrey Kissam Kerr, of Atlanta, Ga., Kevin Carl Kerr, of Downingtown, Pa., Mary Elizabeth Kerr, of Pinebluff, Sarah Kerr Mila,n of Mons, Belgium; nine grandchildren; and two great grandchildren.

A memorial service will be held at The Village Chapel in Pinehurst Saturday, April 18, at 10 a.m.

Boles Funeral Home of Pinehurst is serving the family.