Herbert W. Worthington, Jr., a long-time state, local, and national VVA leader who served on the national Board of Directors, as New Jersey State Council and Chapter 779 president, and Region 2 Director, and as chair of the Agent Orange Committee and the Veterans Against Drugs Task Force, died April 26 at age 75.

Herb Worthington was drafted into the Army in August 1969 and underwent a combat-heavy tour of duty in 1970-71 with 9th Infantry Division’s 2nd of the 60th Infantry Regiment. He became a strong veterans’ advocate beginning in the 1980s, including serving as VVA’s Chief Service Officer in Newark, N.J., before retiring in 2008.

“As Region 2 director, Herb would visit our Pennsylvania State Council meetings,” said former VVA Pa. State Council President Larry Holman.  “He was knowledgeable, committed, reliable, and extremely competent.”

Herb Worthington’s wife of 53 years, Angela, died on April 4.

“Angie was beside Herb for many years at countless VVA functions,” said former VVA Veteran editor Michael Keating. “She was a loving and truly gentle soul.”

The family has asked that donations in honor of Herb Worthington go to the New Jersey State Council, c/o Carlton Rhodes, 559 W. 9th Avenue, Roselle, NJ 07203 earmarked for the VVA Service Officer Program.