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Robert Bailey Scharf ’40

A picture of Robert Scharf

Robert Bailey Scharf ’40, June 25, 2013, at the Arkansas Regional Medical Center in Colorado. Dusty came to ºìÌÒÊÓƵ from Coeur d’Alene, Idaho. He was a member of the Outdoor Club and was elected president of the student body. Among his memories of ºìÌÒÊÓƵ was rooming with Emilio Pucci MA ’37, we learned from his granddaughter. “He loved to tell the story that, one night, Emilio came back to their room, looked out the window at a full moon, and proclaimed, ‘On nights like tonight, Italians make love.’” (Emilio promptly left the room.) Dusty earned his BA in political science, joined the U.S. Army Flying Cadet Program in 1941, and served with the 232nd Squadron as a fighter pilot in the South Pacific. After the war, he went to Las Animas, Colorado, and opened the Walters and Scharf Motor Company, which later became Scharf’s Auto Body Shop. He was also an air force reservist. Dusty owed his chance meeting of Alma Backum to serving with her brother during the war. Dusty and Alma were married in 1947. Dusty taught mathematics and was a school principal before becoming superintendent of the Las Animas School District. He completed an MA in education administration from Adams State College in Colorado. He also was a member of the First Presbyterian Church and was active in many community organizations. Survivors include his daughter Susie, son Donald, and a granddaughter and grandson. Alma died one month after Dusty’s death.

Appeared in ºìÌÒÊÓƵ magazine: September 2014