William B. Scherer

William B. "Rip" Scherer, 87, of Moon Township, passed away Friday, Dec. 28, 2012, in his home. He was born Oct. 24, 1925, the son of the late William B. "Heavy" and Marie Scherer. He is survived by his loving wife of 61 years, June Scherer; and seven children, William B. "Rip" and Michele Scherer Jr., of Colorado, Cynthia Scherer, of Hopewell Township, Connie and Steve Shipp, of Virginia, Scott Scherer, of California, Christine Scherer, of Carnegie, Sandy Scherer and Myles Nelligan, of North Carolina, and June and Michael Matt, of Arizona; 11 grandchildren, Scott Scherer, Melanie and Kurt Clemence, Ryan Scherer, Matt and Rebekah Wilson, Karen and Leroy Skidmore, Krista and Casey Williams, Elizabeth Shipp, Stephanie Shipp, Christian Matt, Connor Matt, and Shayla Matt; and four brothers and sisters, Dee and Ed Zelik, of Pittsburgh, Dick and Pat Scherer, of Pittsburgh, Robert "Bones" and Peg Scherer, of Florida, and Marie Weidner, of Pittsburgh. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his two sisters, Francell Seaman and Evabell Colbert. A teacher by profession early in his career and a teacher of character throughout his life, Rip served as the district director of athletics and physical education for Moon Area Schools from 1969 to 1991. He was head football coach at Moon High School (1969 to 1974), Southern Regional High School in New Jersey (1966 to 1968), Norwin High School (1959 to 1965), North Catholic High School (1956 to 1958), and Millvale High School (1957). Rip served as a summer and weekend player personnel evaluator for the Pittsburgh Steelers (1975 to 1990). Upon retirement from the Moon Area Schools, he served as a full-time player personnel scout for the Indianapolis Colts (1991 to 1996). He also coached at Penn State's Summer Football Camps in State College from 1975 to 2010. Rip was elected into the following Halls of Fame: Norwin High School (2011), North Catholic High School (2002), Pennsylvania Scholastic Football Coaches Association (2001), Moon High School Wall of Fame (1995), and the Western Chapter of the Pennsylvania Sports Hall of Fame (1987). He received the Pittsburgh Dapper Dan Award for Outstanding Achievement in 1959. A 1944 graduate of North Catholic High School and a 1949 graduate of Penn State University, Rip was a member of the 1948 Penn State Cotton Bowl Team. Friends will be received from noon to 7 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 30, 2012, in the HUNTSMAN FUNERAL HOME AND CREMATION SERVICES OF MOON TOWNSHIP, 1522 Coraopolis Heights Road, http://www.huntsmanfuneralhomes.com. Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10 a.m. Monday in St. Margaret Mary Catholic Parish in Moon Township, where he was a member. Everyone please meet at church. Private interment will take place in North Side Catholic Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the North Catholic High School Scholarship Fund in Rip's name.