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David Scherb Obituary

DAVID EUGENE SCHERB 61, passed away October 15, 2009 at his home in Redding, after a courageous battle with cancer, sur-rounded by his loving family. Born in Patterson, New Jersey, June 6th 1948 to Eugene Rudolph and Marie (nee Ratzlaff) Scherb, he was raised in Ridgewood, New Jersey. He then attended Bradley University in Illinois where he was a member of Delta Upsilon Fraternity and received a degree in Political Science. Later, he attended Suffolk University Law School, where he met his beloved wife, Bernice. He was then enlisted in the Army National Guard where he served for six years. Dave began his professional career at Metropolitan Life in the sales organization and advanced through several management positions. While living in New Jersey, his son Cliff was born in 1979. Next, recruitment brought him to North Carolina where he worked at RJR Nabisco in Winston-Salem, where his son Ryan was born in 1982. In 1987, he accepted a position at PepsiCo in Purchase, NY. Dave retired from PepsiCo in 2005 as Senior Vice President of Compensation and Benefits. Dave was regarded as an authority in the field of Compensation and Benefits. In addition to his role at PepsiCo, he served as Chairman of the Washington Business Group on Health and a member of the Jackson Hole Group. He was widely regarded as an expert in the healthcare field, testifying before Congress and publicly speaking on healthcare reform. Dave served on the Business Round Table Executive Compensation Council, spoke frequently on the topic of executive compensation and his opinions were incorporated in several publications. Dave was also on the board of the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation and along with his wife Bernice was the honoree at the JDRF annual Gala in 2007. Dave was a family oriented adventurer. He was a devoted husband and a loving father. Tall in stature and warm at heart, he was an astute and competitive businessman and an easygoing companion. He was most captivated by activities involving friendly competition and progressive discussion. His leisure time was complete with canoe trips in the American wilderness, family vacations anywhere from Maine to Greece, motoring in sports cars and any game from tennis to bungee jumping. A Scrabble master, a romantic, a Harley cruiser. A lover of his family. A lover of his friends. A lover of life. In addition to his wife Bernice (nee Cobb) and mother Marie (nee Ratzlaff), David is survived by his two sons Clifford and Ryan; his sister Linda (nee Scherb) Schumann and her husband Lawrence; their two sons Matthew and Michael and their respective wives Alex (nee Malin) Schumann and Christy (nee Eng) Schumann. A funeral will be held to honor David on Thursday, October 22nd, 2009 at 10:15 a.m. in St. Mary's church in Ridgefield, Connecticut and will be immediately followed by a celebration of life at Redding Country Club in Redding, Connecticut. In lieu of gifts, the Scherb family asks that a donation be made to the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation in David's name. www.jdrf.org.

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

Published by GreenwichTime from Oct. 19 to Oct. 20, 2009.

Memories and Condolences
for David Scherb

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Carol Lee

October 12, 2022

I still miss you, my dear cousin! Our childhood family parties were full of games and laughs and being engulfed in family!
Love,
Carol Lee

Carol Lee

October 13, 2021

I miss you, my funny cousin! We had such crazy times, as kids, chasing around in your basement or exploring the front attic room at Grammy's, where we played Buck Rogers.

Carol Ray

October 12, 2020

My cousin, David, was someone who loved and reveled in life! As children, I remember chasing around his basement and making up silly games. He had his mother's infectious laugh. How wonderful that he was able to trace our Swiss roots by visiting Aunt Ida and Heidi and Fredi Gerber in Zurich! I now life in the Pocono Mountains of Pennsylvania, where Dave spent glorious days each summer at his grandmother's bungalow and as a lifeguard. We visited his old lifeguard chair when he was here for a Scherb family reunion. David, you are missed and loved!

Maxine Scherb McIntosh

February 18, 2010

I was so sorry to hear of your loss. The thoughts of many are with you at this time of sorrow.

Octavio Scherb

February 18, 2010

Dear Bernie, Cliff & Ryan,

My deepest condolences and prayers on your loss. I was updating my Family tree online and came about the news. I want to express my most sincere gratitude to the memory of David , since his actions in my life where a blessing in a whole series of events.

I am Octavio A. Scherb your Mexican cousin whom you met in your trip to Switzerland at Heidi Gerber's house.

Knowing the person David was, he must have lived an outstanding journey in life , and will bless the footsteps of all his family in the years to come.

I hope to see you in the near future.

[email protected]

Don Lester

October 23, 2009

To Bernice, Cliff and Ryan

Dave had a very significant influence in my life. He was a mentor who always taught me how to think outside of the box. I will miss him greatly. Please accept my deepest sympathy.

Eddie Rodriguez

October 22, 2009

To Ryan and your Mom and Family, I will pray for your finding peace during this most difficult and painful time. My most sincere condolences to all of you.

Jim Stanley

October 21, 2009

Dear Benice and Family:
I retired from PepsiCo eight years ago, so it has been awhile since I had any contact with Dave, but I wanted to share my recollections. I knew Dave through his position at PepsiCo of course; he was one of our most thoughtful executives, perfect for his position. We were fortunate to have an individual with his knowledge and people skills in this important position. I also got to know Dave through the JDF as I was active in this organization through my position in external technical matters, and Dave gave me insight into the practical issues facing young people coping with this disease. Both my children went to Wake Forest and I believe your son did as well; so I have lots of great memories of Dave .... he was truly a person I enjoyed dealing with and admired.
I know you will all miss him terribly, but I hope there is some comfort in knowing how many people were touched by his competence and generosity.
You are in our prayers ... sincerely, Jim & Katie Stanley.

Carol Lee Ray

October 21, 2009

Dear Bernice, Cliff and Ryan,
Your dear husband and father, was my jovial, energetic, loving cousin. Yesterday, Bob and I hiked in the woods of Pinecrest here in the Poconos, and I thought of David's teenage years here, lifeguarding at the lake and living in his grandmother's bungalow. Remember when we visited the ruins of that summer home and Dave posed for a zany picture "perched" above where the toilet once sat?! I remember visiting the bungalow as a small child. David taught me to chase through the forest and hunt for blueberries while our parents played a mean game of badminton. We even have that adventure on an old 8mm film.
David's energy, enthusiasm, drive and love of life and people was infectious. I will always cherish memories of our childhood at Grammy's house or playing in his parents' Wyckoff basement during holiday get-togethers.
We join you in testimonial to a wonderful, successful, highly-valued man and wish you comfort in faith and love for one another.
Love,
Carol Lee and Bob

Rob Sharpe

October 20, 2009

Dear Bernice, Cliff and Ryan,

We don't know how to begin to describe the impact that Dave had on all of us. His incredible intellectual curiosity and creativity humbles us. His love for family and friends and his ability to bring sheer fun to any situation were uplifting to everyone he touched. He had the ability to convince 30 year-old adults to bob for apples, 5 year-olds to crane their necks to catch M&Ms, and to produce the great farce "shack" video of your move to Connecticut. At the same time, he was a driving force in shaping the evolution of benefits and compensation strategy in coprorate America. Many of today's top human resources executives would not be where they are without Dave. WOW, what a legacy. We mourn the loss of our dear friend, Dave,with you and are so grateful for the time we had with him. Love, Rob, Maria, Laura and Elisa

October 20, 2009

Bernice, Cliff, and Ryan, Dave was PepsiCo. His optimism reminds me of Don Kendall. his intelligence and professionalism always the best. Dave showed us how to live and how to die by living life to the fullest. See you Thursday. Love, Mike and Sue White

Monica Levine

October 20, 2009

My sincere condolences.

He was a great person.

Christopher Rodriguez

October 20, 2009

Dear Bernice, Cliff & Ryan,

Growing up with Cliff I will always remember the love that is present in the Scherb household. David and Bernice have always made me feel welcomed in their house and Cliff and Ryan have been brought up to be good compassionate individuals. I will always remember the summer's spent with the Scherb family and your father/husband for what a good person he was. My thoughts and prayers go out to all of you.

Keith Knapp

October 19, 2009

Dear Bernice, Clifford, and Ryan;

I first met Dave in at the Delta Upsilon fraternity house at Bradley University in the Fall of 1966, when we both became part of the DU's biggest Pledge Class. The following year Dave, Steve Hermann, and I moved into the DU House as "study room" mates. The next semester the 3 of us moved into "The Cave" a basement apartment off-campus ... and the FUN began! I enjoyed Dave's fun loving personality and respected his intellect & self-confidence. We didn't keep in regular contact, but as "DU Brothers" we have always been connected. A couple of years ago we had a wonderful phone conversation which revolved around family and interests. We discovered that both of us enjoyed sharing our sports car and motorcycle experiences with our son(s) ... as Dave had two and had one. I have been privileged to have known Dave and spent life-lesson building time with him. My most sincere condolences on the loss of your husband and father. May his love for each of you be the memory that keeps you strong, as I'm sure that is what he would wish. My prayers and heart-felt loss goes out to each of you.
With my deepest sympathies,
Keith

Leslie Sugel Hirsch

October 19, 2009

Dear Bernice, Clifford and Ryan,

I grew up across the street from the Scherb's in Norwood on Westwind Court. I will always remember David as a tall, strong, kind, compassionate, fun loving man who lived his life to the fullest. He was truly an exemplary individual. My thoughts and prayers are with you.

Ted and Lauri Allenbach

October 19, 2009

Dave was smart, caring, funny, warm, charming ... he will surely be missed by anyone who knew him. We offer you our thoughts and prayers and know that you will forever have brilliant memories of such a wonderful husband and father. Our hearts go out to you.

October 19, 2009

My thoughts, prayers and condolences go out to the entire family. Dave was a great guy and a wonderful colleague, who was way to young to leave us. Tonight when you look up, don't think of them as stars. Think of them as porch lights welcome Dave safely home. Lionel Nowell

Jennifer Ressa

October 19, 2009

Dear Bernice, Cliff and Ryan,

Although my time with David was brief, I am profoundly touched by his courage, strength, and bravery.
I am proud an honored to have known him, even if for a short time. My heart and prayers are with you.

Jen Ressa, LPN

Fred Roberts

October 19, 2009

Dear Bernice, Clifford and Ryan,

Even though I hadn't seen Dave in 40 years, I will always remember him as a wonderful friend, fraternity brother and pledge brother. We shared great times together at Delta Upsilon. And his continued success after Bradley does not surprise me one bit. Please know there are hundreds of friends who share your loss.

October 19, 2009

Dear Bernice, Cliff & Ryan,

Dave was the best; may he rest in peace and may God comfort you.

Love always,
Irene

Bob & Sue Kummer

October 18, 2009

Dear Bernice, Clifford, and Ryan,

May God comfort you as you mourn the death of your husband and Dad, David.
I remember David as the oldest of the cousins, a talented and successful man. I remember him and his winsome smile and sense of humor. He was my mom's favorite nephew and she his favorite aunt. When she was opporated on for a brain tumor David came to visit her and took me and my sisters out for lunch. In spite of his own battle with cancer he encouraged us with his love for NY, his love for life, and his positive spirit. I am thankful for our Christian heritage in the Ratzlaff family who believed in Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord. In Him is our peace before God and our hope for eternal life to all who trust in Him. May you be comforted in time with this hope.
Lovingly,
Bob & Sue Kummer
Alison, Hannah, and Marshall

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