Leo M. Scherr

Leo M. Scherr, 87, of Cheyenne passed away at Cheyenne Regional Medical Center on Wednesday, January 1st 2020. By all accounts he was a good man in many aspects of life: A master teacher, community leader, Father, and Husband. He is survived by his children, Tim Scherr (Becky) of Erie, CO; Beth Woods (Bryan) of Cheyenne, WY; Fred Scherr (Lisa) of Erie, CO; and Lisa Onken of Cross Plains, WI, and grandchildren Colin and Lane Onken; Jemma and Tessa Woods; and Hannah and Andrew Scherr. He was preceded in death by an infant son, Joseph, his wife of 49 years, V. Abigail Scherr, his brother George Scherr and his parents Frank and Elizabeth Scherr.
Leo was born in Strasburg, ND in his mother’s family home on July 31st, 1932. He was raised in Hoven, SD where he graduated from high school as valedictorian. He then attended Northern State Teacher’s College in Aberdeen, SD and earned a B.S.Ed. in 1954 with high honors and a M.S.Ed. in 1958, and did post-graduate work at the University of Utah and University of Wyoming.
Mr. Scherr married his college sweetheart and love of his life V. Abigail Sorensen (Abbie) on May 31, 1956 in Sisseton, SD. After stops in Gillette, WY and Salt Lake City, UT they moved to Cheyenne in 1959. Mr. Scherr was part of the inaugural faculty of Cheyenne East High School where he taught Mathematics for the next 36 years, most of the time as department head, specializing in Calculus (as we all know, the really hard stuff). He was recognized as a master teacher and named East High School Teacher of the Year in 1986-1987 and Wyoming State Award Winner of Presidential Awards for Excellence in Science and Mathematics Teaching in 1984. Mr. Scherr also taught at the Laramie County Community College (LCCC) part-time for several years. He continued to discuss mathematical problems and especially math jokes with former students across the USA until his passing.
In the community, Mr. Scherr served as a leader in many organizations, including President of the Buffalo Ridge Elementary PTA, President and co-founder of the Buffalo Ridge Recreation Association (Buffalo Ridge Pool), and Board member and President of the Cheyenne Schools Federal Credit Union. He was a life member of the National Education Association, Wyoming Education Association and Cheyenne Teacher’s Education Association. A man of many talents, he also spent many hours volunteering in youth organizations serving as coach, scoutmaster, treasurer, announcer, scorekeeper, sponsor, chaperone, and cook. He enjoyed singing in the church choir for many years and even appeared in some school musicals. He was an ace pitcher for the church softball team, earning the nickname “Catfish”. He was a member of the Cheyenne Sunrise Lions Club.
Leo’s children invite all who knew him to celebrate his life at a Memorial Service to be held at Grace United Methodist Church, 2950 Spruce Dr. in Cheyenne, at 10:00 am on Monday, January 13th, 2020. Reception to follow in the Fellowship Hall. In lieu of flowers, please consider donations to the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation or Grace United Methodist Church.