In Memory of Diana and John Herbst, MD

John Joseph Herbst, MD passed away on Wednesday, February 11, 2026 in Essex, Connecticut at age 90. John was born on July 18, 1935 in Cincinnati, Ohio to Harry George Herbst and Franziska Brueggemann Herbst who, along with his wife Diana, daughter Melissa and brother Harry, preceded him in death.  

John was passionate about his career in pediatric gastroenterology. He received his medical degree from Saint Louis University School of Medicine, completed his residency at Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center, followed by a fellowship in pediatric gastroenterology at Stanford University. He served as Chair of Pediatrics at LSU Health Sciences Center in Shreveport 1986-1991 and continued to care for his patients until his retirement in 2017. He most enjoyed caring for his patients, advancing the scientific knowledge in the field, and training the next generation of physicians. John, along with his wife Diana, placed high value on education and provided funding support for several family member’s advanced education as well as establishing the Diana and John Herbst Professorship in Pediatric Gastroenterology at LSUHS.

John is survived by his son John Jr., his daughter-in-law Kathy, his grandchildren Matt and Marianne, and his bother Thomas as well as several nieces and nephews, all of whom enjoyed his dry sense of humor, extensive knowledge of history, and skill of repairing almost anything with duct tape.

In lieu of Flowers, charitable donations can be made to support the Diana and John Herbst Endowed Professorship at the LSU Health Sciences Foundation in Shreveport.

The Herbst Endowed Professorship was established in 2012, and gifts support the LSU Health Shreveport Department of Pediatrics.