Menu
Search by Name
Search by Name
BORN
1926
DIED
2012
John Schermerhorn Obituary
Bob was born June 24, 1926, in Crawford, N.Y., to the late John R. Schermerhorn Sr. and Florence Tatem Schermerhorn.
Growing up, Bob had a wonderlust and wanted to go places and see things. Bob joined the Navy when he was 17, and served his country honorably during World War II, Korea and Vietnam. He retired from the Navy after 22 years.
After his retirement, Bob received a letter from a friend in Alaska letting him know there were plenty of jobs driving taxi cabs. He sold everything, including his 1964 GTO convertible, and moved to Alaska. Bob drove taxi for Alaska Cab in Fairbanks for close to 40 years.
Bob enjoyed traveling the Nenana River while hunting and fishing. His family said, "After his move to Alaska, Dad was the happiest I had ever seen him. Just two years ago he told me he had been Outside, he knew what was out there and he never wanted to be Outside again. He loved Alaska and its people as much as they loved him."
Bob married Jo Ann Darby on Oct. 12, 1987. Bob was an avid bowler during the past 30 years and bowled in leagues on Wednesday nights.
Besides his parents, he is predeceased by a son, Danilo Lozam; and brother, Alan T. Schermerhorn.
Bob is survived by his beloved wife of 26 years, Jo Ann Darby, of Nenana; his children, Gail DeMarsh and her husband, Richard of Warrensburg, N.Y.; Esther Schermerhorn and her fiancé Douglas Zweifel of Anchorage, Maria Tune and her husband, Sam Tune, Jr. of Memphis, Tenn.; Diosdado "Sonny" Schermerhorn of Memphis, Tenn.; Robin Schermerhorn of Memphis, Tenn.; Dale Julio of Destin, Fla., and Peter Schermerhorn of Fort Lauderdale, Fla.; several grandchildren, several great-grandchildren, and a brother, James O. Schermerhorn and his wife, Barbara, of New Port Richey, Fla.
A celebration of life will be held at 2 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 29, 2012, at the James A. Coghill Community Center in Nenana with full military honors. A potluck will be held following services at the community center, all are welcome.
The family requests those wanting to make memorial donations may do so to: Wells Fargo, Bob Schermerhorn Memorial Account No. 6952781117.
1-800-869-3557.
Arrangements were entrusted to Chapel of Chimes Funeral Home.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Memories and Condolences
for John Schermerhorn
Robin Schermerhorn
October 16, 2012
Papa Bob, Thank you for Life and being true to yourself! Shared condolences with all your extended family members.
Rose Coy
October 3, 2012
Jo Ann , you are in our thoughts and prayers. Know your pain and know the Good Lord will give you comfort and peace . God Bless you and all the family.
The Bill Coy Family on the Kantishna River
Punkin Schermerhorn
October 3, 2012
I love you, Daddy! I miss calling you every single day, just to say hi.
Punkin
Andrew Welch
October 1, 2012
I have worked with Bob for many years. He always knew just the right joke to tell when things were good, the right anecdote to tell when things were bad, and the good sense to leave me alone when I was upset. The only people that did not consider Bob a friend are the people who never met him. His family is in my thoughts and prayers. Bob, you are and will be very missed.
September 30, 2012
Jo, wish Dale and I could be there with you. So many memories of the last 29 years. Love, Jess & Dale
Richard Robinson
September 28, 2012
A very determined and dedicated man has left this world, but will not be forgotten as a friend in need.
Mike
September 27, 2012
May your cab driver to heaven be a good safe one, and cost nothing, for its already been paid for..
Jim Wright
September 27, 2012
Thank you for your friendship,as well as all the lessons you taught me.You will be missed.---Linus
Marie Baker
September 27, 2012
RIP Papa Bob! Glad that I got to meet you in San Diego. You were always kind to Dan & I. I wished I had known that you moved to Fairbanks, I would had stopped by to give you a hug on several trips we did to Alaska.
Our deepest Sympathy to the family.
The Lazam and Marie Baker's Family
tina carroll
September 27, 2012
was one of my favorite king cab drivers and very nice. will miss him very much.
September 26, 2012
It was always a pleasure to see Bob and be of assistance to him when I worked for AT&T a few years ago. He will be missed. RIP Bob, Susan Morrow
Julia Sunnyboy
September 26, 2012
R.I.P Bob!
Merrily Verhagen
September 26, 2012
Nenana will not be the same without Bob. He was one of those interesting and helpful people that make it a great little place to live. He will be missed. Our thoughts and prayers are with the family.
Sincerely,
The Verhagens
W.E. (Bill) Northrup
September 26, 2012
Bob was a "Class Act" as a Cab Driver, He was the standard in the Cab business, with hundreds of friends among his passengers and co-workers. He'll be missed by all: his passengers, friends, family, and all of us in the Cab business in Fairbanks.
Richard Hayden
September 26, 2012
I am so sorry! I worked a bit with Bob this past winter, we shared a King cab, I drove nights, and he drove days. Very nice guy, he loved his work, and people. Will miss you Bob!
Johanne Knox
September 26, 2012
Bob was a favorite cab driver of mine for the past 11 years. What a wonderful man. RIP.
Showing 1 - 16 of 16 results
Make a Donation
in John Schermerhorn's name
Memorial Events
for John Schermerhorn
How to support John's loved ones
Honor a beloved veteran with a special tribute of ‘Taps’ at the National WWI Memorial in Washington, D.C.
The nightly ceremony in Washington, D.C. will be dedicated in honor of your loved one on the day of your choosing.
Read more
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 moreResources to help you cope with loss
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 more
The Five Stages of Grief
They're not a map to follow, but simply a description of what people commonly feel.
Read moreWays to honor John Schermerhorn'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
