Menu
Search by Name
Search by Name
Stephen Scherr Obituary
Stephen Jay Scherr, 62, passed away May 18, 2021, in Woodbridge, Virginia, due to complications of pancreatic
cancer.
Steve was born in New York City, to the late Benjamin F.. and Doris (Balacaier) Scherr. He is survived by his wife of 31 years, Carla Scherr, and children Martin Scherr and Ruth Scherr, all of Woodbridge; twin sister, Cheryl Doncaster (Robert) of Kettering, Ohio; brother, Laurence Scherr of Centerville, Ohio; nieces, Stephanie
Cyphers (Kevin), Kayla Keen, and Cassidy Fink; nephew, Jaime Keen; and great-nephews, Damien Keen and Benjamin
Cyphers.
Steve graduated valedictorian from Fairmont East High School (1976). He was an Alumni Distinguished Scholar at Michigan State University, where he received a BS in Mathematics (1980). After MSU, he attended Cambridge University (UK) as a Churchill Scholar, studying mathematics, and earned a
master's degree in mathematics from Yale University.
While still at MSU, Steve began working at the Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL) at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base (WPAFB). In 2008, after residing in Yellow Springs for 17 years, Steve moved to Lorton, Virginia, to support an Air Force
program located there. Still an active AFRL employee, Steve had almost 41 years of service when he passed away.
Steve was a polymath, with interests too numerous and varied to list. His first love was the Cincinnati Reds and baseball, which appealed to and developed his love of statistics and
data analytics. Stories are still told of the wall-long chart of Reds statistics he maintained in his childhood bedroom. But first and foremost, he was a life-long, dyed-in-the-wool, MSU Spartan.
Steve was active in Scouting, both in Ohio (Yellow Springs Troop 78) and in Virginia (Fairfax Station Troop 688), serving at the troop, council, and district levels. He traveled
extensively to national and international Scouting jamborees and received numerous volunteer awards.
Steve was extremely involved with the FIRST Robotics, supporting competitions in Virginia, Ohio, the DC region, West Virginia, South Carolina, St. Louis, Detroit, Houston, and others. He was one of two FIRST Global Head Referees and
received numerous volunteer awards.
A memorial service and reception will be held at 1:00 pm on June 27, 2021, at Temple Beth Or in Kettering, Ohio.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Memories and Condolences
for Stephen Scherr
John Sammons
August 25, 2021
Steve was the ultimate gracious professional! I am grateful for the many years he helped guide our teams through the FIRST LEGO League challenges. His service to the children was valued and appreciated!
Amy & Mark Crawford
June 27, 2021
Steve was an amazing leader with the scouts. We learned so much from him and we always appreciated his calm leadership and his special brand of humor. He was a great mentor and a great man. We will miss him. Sending our love and condolences to his family. Our sympathies in your loss of dear Steve.
Sincerely,
Mark & Amy Crawford
Dave P
June 9, 2021
Steve and I worked at AFRL together and both enjoyed scouting. Then I ran into Steve volunteering for FIRST. He always had a calming demeanor and was great with kids. He was passionate about everything he did and was a good friend. I miss you Steve.
Kathy Levine
June 9, 2021
I worked closely with Steve in his volunteer work with FLL, first in Ohio (in my role as FLL Partner for the state) and later at the FLL World Festival (in my HQ staff role with FIRST) where he served as the Global Head Referee. I remember his generous spirit - no event was too small or too far away for him to support. He once jumped on a plane to fly from VA to rural OH to support a new QT event that needed volunteers. He was always the first to arrive for set up for an event (often with a very young Marty in tow) and the last to leave. His kindness, generousity, and good humor will be missed. It was my great honor to have known him.
Don Rizzetta
June 9, 2021
I don't how many basketball games at UD and Reds baseball games I went to with Steve. He was one of the first people I met at Wright-Patterson when I move to Dayton in 1982. Steve was a good friend and colleague.
Dave
June 9, 2021
A man who understood the future as much as he had mastered the past, the ultimate mentor.
Jerry Trummer
June 9, 2021
There’s so much to write, but I’ll always remember you as a lifelong friend from our first meeting at Michigan State. I will miss you.
Showing 1 - 11 of 11 results
Make a Donation
in Stephen Scherr's name
Memorial Events
for Stephen Scherr
How to support Stephen's loved ones
Should I Send Sympathy Flowers?
What kind of arrangement is appropriate, where should you send it, and when should you send an alternative?
Read more
What Should I Write in a Sympathy Card?
We'll help you find the right words to comfort your family member or loved one during this difficult time.
Read more
Resources to help you cope with loss
How to Cope With Grief
Information and advice to help you cope with the death of someone important to you.
Read more
Estate Settlement Guide
If you’re in charge of handling the affairs for a recently deceased loved one, this guide offers a helpful checklist.
Read more
Obituaries, grief & privacy: Legacy’s news editor on NPR podcast
Legacy's Linnea Crowther discusses how families talk about causes of death in the obituaries they write.
Read moreWays to honor Stephen Scherr's life and legacy
Obituary Examples
You may find these well-written obituary examples helpful as you write about your own family.
Read more
Obituary Templates – Customizable Examples and Samples
These free blank templates make writing an obituary faster and easier.
Read more
How Do I Write a Eulogy?
Some basic help and starters when you have to write a tribute to someone you love.
Read more
