Pastor Hermann Decker was a Lutheran clergyman who resided in Schwarzburg. When the Ring of Fire deposited the town of Grantville in the past, and caused parts of Schwarzburg to fall into its pit, Decker, like everyone in the town, was flabbergasted by Grantville. He was present at the meeting between the representatives of both Grantville and Schwarzburg (the latter led by Captain Franz Saalfelder), and was amazed by the Grantvillers' account of their origins. Thereafter, Decker witnessed the Americans' efforts to rescue the villagers who fell into the pit, including technology from the late 20th century being used during the rescue.