Al Scherr, a long time veteran of the baking and vending supply industry, passed away Jun. 26, 2012. Scherr, fondly called the Dick Clark of the pastry business, would have been 93 on July 19. He died peacefully at Hospice of the Valley in Scottsdale, Ariz. after six months of illness.
Scherr began his career as a sports writer for the Baltimore Sun. After serving in the army, he started a new career in sales management for Mrs. Smith Pie's in Baltimore. He joined Haas Bakery in St. Louis in the early 1960s and was vice president of sales and marketing until his retirement in 1998. His flair for writing and creative presentations earned numerous awards for Haas at various trade shows. After retiring, Scherr's love of the baking and vending industry brought him several new opportunities. He consulted on various products and was a mentor to those who sought his experience and insight. Scherr loved going to tradeshows and was 90 when he attended his last one in Chicago.
Scherr loved his family and his dogs, meeting people, trading jokes and stories, traveling, reading and watching sports. He never gave up on the Arizona Cardinals. He was preceded in death by his wife of 67 years, Gabrielle. He is survived by his four daughters.
A funeral mass was held for family and friends. Donations in his memory can be made to Hospice of the Valley, 1510 E. Flower St., Phoenix, Ariz. 85014
