He was born 29 June 1909 in Indianapolis, Marion County, Indiana and died in October 1986 in that city, age 77.  Herbert was buried 15 October 1986 in Crown Hill Cemetery in Indianapolis.  His mother was Ellen Gimbel, known as Ella, the daughter of Henry and Anna Maria (Heuss) Gimbel, he from Darmstadt, Germany and she from Wurttemberg, Germany.  Ella was born 31 March 1871 in Union city, Randolph County, Indiana and died 1 August 1950 in Indianapolis at age 79.  Herbert's father was Adolph Herman Brackmier, a butcher by trade, born in 1863 in Louisville, Jefferson County, Kentucky, the son of Henry and Eliza Brackmier of Hanover, Germany.  Adolph died in Indianapolis in November 1940 at age 77. Ella and Adolph were buried in Crown Hill Cemetery, Indianapolis.

Herbert had three siblings who never married: Adolph Herman, Jr., Gladys H. and Ernest F. Herbert himself remained a bachelor until he was over
70 years of age. He married Beverly J. [--?--] who was born 24 September 1921 and died 31 October 2001 in Indianapolis at age 80.

Information provided by Rebecca J. Barefoot the artist's first cousin, twice removed.