HERBERT F. SCHERER

Herbert Frederick Scherer passed away peacefully at his most recent home in Roswell, GA on June 28, 2012 in his 83rd year. Devoted husband. Loving father. Patient and fun-loving grandfather. Professional athlete. Successful businessman. Herb Scherer was a man of intelligence and integrity. He led a full and active life with interests that ranged from construction, basketball, ocean kayaking, reading, volunteering, and spending time with his family and friends. For 61 years, Herb was the loyal and loving husband of Mary (Buist). He was the beloved father of Steven and his wife Jeanne of Winnetka, IL; Bruce and his wife Daryl Delaney of Pennington, NJ; Elaine McCarthy and her husband James of Roswell, GA. He was also the proud grandfather of Michael and John Scherer; Walter, Madeline and Lana Scherer; and Alexander and Travis McCarthy. He was predeceased by his parents Frederick and Gertrude (Lauffer) Scherer, his siblings Donald Scherer, Winifred Williams, Virginia Scherer and his grandson Peter Scherer. Herb was born on Dec. 21, 1928, at home in Maplewood, NJ. He attended Bloomfield Technical High School and Long Island University where he graduated in 1950 with a BS degree in physical education. A college basketball star, Herb was on the starting five of the nationally ranked LIU Blackbirds. Herb was one of the few players from that team that was not involved in the point shaving scandal and was drafted by the New York Knicks in 1950 where he played from 1951-1952. He married Mary Buist on June 9, 1951 and they settled in Parsippany, NJ for the next 30 years in the home he built for them. Following his career in the NBA, he began the remainder of his professional career as co-owner with his brother Don of D&H Construction, Flanders, NJ, which for 45 years built gas stations and light industrial buildings. He knew how to work hard and play hard and excelled at both! An ocean lover, upon retirement Herb achieved a dream of his to live near the ocean-not once but twice! He spent 20 happy years living on Long Beach Island, NJ and 10 more in Melbourne Beach, FL where he ocean kayaked and swam with his children, grandchildren and friends. In Melbourne Beach, Herb worked as an active volunteer at Sebastian Inlet State Park and he was named Volunteer of the Year there in 2006. Most recently, Herb and his wife have resided in Roswell, GA. Many thanks to the staff and volunteers of the Amedisys Hospice Care for their excellent care, kindness, knowledge, and guidance. Cremation has taken place. For more information, contact South Care Cremation, Marietta, GA, 770-331-0029. Memorial donations in Herb's memory may be made to Amedisys Hospice Care, 1701 Barret Lakes Dr., Kennesaw, GA, 30144, 770-423-1316. Herb, larger than life in so many ways, will be missed by all who knew him.