EULOGY
BY DAVID TUBBS, PASTOR
GOOD SHEPHERD UNITED METHODIST CHURCH MADISON, AL
I am honored to be here and really very humbled to be able to speak for a remarkable man! I have only known Richard for 8-10 years, but in that time I have seen a devoted, loving husband. A caring and present Father, a bear of a grandfather, a devoted Catholic, a patriot and a Soldier, a business man, a man of service and action to his churches and community and a wonderful visitor to the Methodist Church. I say that because the first time I met Richard, he told me I’m Catholic through and through, I’m just visiting for a bit with you!
I want to say from the outset that I thought Richard was a terrific human being and was so glad that he visited with us at our church. Richard was a gentle giant. I know in death we tend to put people on a pedestal and they become larger than life. We are all flawed, we are all sinners, we all have made mistakes, we all have some regrets, none of us are perfect—if we are being honest with ourselves. So, as we celebrate the remarkable life of Richard Scherberger I know there are moments when he is cringing a bit, thinking I was more of a sinner than a saint, but truth be told, aren’t we all.
The Richard Scherberger I knew was a remarkable man, he was such a good guy! Richard reminded me after several sermons: “You know we Catholics believe …,. You remember I’m Catholic, right?” He was a devout Catholic and had a very ecumenical spirit. He was a thoughtful person who respected others beliefs and would engage in healthy, respectful discussion. We both loved and read daily meditations from Father Richard Rohr. One of the things I really appreciated about him was that he was a lifelong learner. He realized there was so much more out there. He was comfortable with the Holy Mystery and that kept his appetite whet with a Holy Curiosity. He would often email me and say “did you see Father Rohr’s meditation today?” Or “I liked most of your sermon, but the part about … I will have to disagree with.” Some people just say, “nice sermon preacher,” but Richard was truly thoughtful and showed that he had stayed awake and paid attention.
Richard was a doer and firmly believed we were known through our acts and deeds. In his work as the founder of Executive Leadership Skills and all his leadership work and training for the army, Richard espoused 3 goals: (1) Do no harm. (2) Leave whatever or wherever better than you found it. (3) Deliver more than the service promised.
Some people only espouse their goals. Richard lived them and regularly acted on them and his life demonstrated his commitment to those three things. He believed leadership was for giving and forgiving.
I want to share a few personal experiences with Richard and Vicky and then share some other remarks from family and friends. Richard had a servant’s heart and he was a man of actions and deeds. Richard and Vicky took on a menial task at our church. One of the kitchens that everyone uses was always a bit of a mess. I remember them saying something about it — “Whose job is it to look after the kitchen?” Now, usually when people tell me that — they mean for me to get on it or to get somebody on it. Not Richard and Vicky, they said, can we help clean it up and check on it regularly? And they did. People in the church kept asking why is this kitchen all of a sudden so clean?
I walked in one day and saw Richard on his hands and knees cleaning an oven. I said, say a prayer for me, while you are down on your knees. Richard said, “David I pray for you all the time.” And you know what — he meant it.
Richard was an excellent cook and he and Vicky shared a love for good food. I remember several good meals at their house and wonderful New Year’s get-togethers with good food and drink. We ate several meals at Cork and Crust with Vicky and Richard and many times Scott, Gina, Mia, and Caden would eat with us too. On numerous occasions, my wife and I were in Cork and Crust, and at the end of our fine meal our waiter or waitress would say, “Don’t worry about the bill, Mr. Scherberger picked it up.” He was generous that way. Richard used his culinary skills to help young people in our church and community by teaching cooking classes. His commitment to helping them and his love of cooking came out. But to give of your time in that way was another act of the Richard I knew.
His generosity showed through his commitment to our food pantry ministry. Our church has the only food pantry in our area that is opened on a regular basis and we serve hundreds of families a year. It’s a pretty big ministry — not just a couple of cans of soup and a bag of beans. Richard and Vicky would always bring several bags of groceries every week. This is where Richard was remarkable too. He didn’t buy a bunch of inexpensive things, he wanted to make it special for these families so he went out of his way to get the best stuff! He bought meats and peanut butter and loved bragging about the “buy one get one” so he could bring twice as much.
He would regularly check to see what particular items we needed and then in an hour or so would be carrying in 10-12 bags to restock the shelves. He really was a generous, remarkable man.
Richard loved and adopted rescue dogs. He just had a need to save one more of God’s creatures. Richard really cared for the environment too. He would cut plastic off drink holders. He grew bamboo because it was environmentally friendly in so many ways. He was a member of the Arbor Day Foundation for decades and loved to plant trees.
Richard was a Soldier, loved being a Soldier, was the son of a Soldier and made it clear that his service was no sacrifice and that he would gladly do it again. The red we wear today was because Richard wore a red shirt every Friday. Remember Everyone Deployed — RED. He served as a Field Artillery Officer for over 20 years. He completed the Army’s organization Effectiveness School and in 1993 began his own company Executive Leadership Skills International and literally traveled the globe between his Army career and his company career.
Vicky and the family have literally received condolences, inspirational stories, and comforting words about Richard from all over. Vicky sent me about 50, but I will share the gist of what was shared and the impact on so many lives that Richard made.
I mentioned Richard’s favorite spot, Cork and Crust, Eric said they did a toast that Thursday evening with about 25 people, because they knew Richard would want to be remembered with a glass held high and celebrate him with a smile.
Karen said Richard is much bigger than life, he always filled the room with his wide and contagious smile and made every family occasion a special one. He was fiercely proud of his family, his country, his community and his beliefs.
So many commented on what an impact Richard made on their life and careers and how he was a true servant leader and a great man. Working for Richard was such an honor and pleasure. It was such an honor to have known Richard and we have so many wonderful work experiences that I am truly grateful for.
I have heard Richard created a loving home for his children, lots of hugs and being willing to show affection. Richard taught them to be patient, to listen and to make them feel important. As a Soldier growing up in the Scherberger household you felt safe and you experienced the sacrifices that Richard made for his children. Those ideas and values get passed on to the next generation.
Mia and Caden called their grandfather, Bear. Bear liked poetry so he and Mia would go back and forth with lines to make a poem. He would say a line and then she would add a line.
It was funny to hear what we would come up with. They would go to Bear and Miss Vicky’s house to swim in their pool, and Bear would throw the divers in and the grandchildren would go get them. Bear also liked throwing the football in the pool. Bear came to watch Caden play baseball. Caden would always love it when Bear cooked steak on Friday nights; they were so delicious! Mia and Caden loved how at Christmas time they would always watch Polar Express.
Remarkable people are made by listening to the call of God and saying, “Yes.” Hidden in a whisper or proclaimed in a hurting world, the call of God touches their hearts. Remarkable people are common folk with generous hands and listening ears. Tough people with perceptive questions and passion for truth. Holy ones who radiate love and embody compassion. We thank God for the ones like Richard who reflect holy light on our path. Heroes and nobodies, the ordinary and the talented, the walking and the wounded. Today we celebrate Richard’s life. We give thanks for the remarkable ones who’ve gone before us and made it easier for us to believe in God and live the life of faith.
Maybe the best way to honor the remarkable life of Richard Scherberger is to remember that life is a gift! We are not promised anything, so make the most of what you have been given. Richard was a fighter and a Warrior and everyone thought he would come back from this illness too. So, treat those around you like the gift they truly are.
Maybe the best way to honor the remarkable life of Richard Scherberger would be to see value in others, to listen to other people’s perspectives. Richard believed we should all be lifelong learners, that we should always treat life as school. So be open to people and possibilities.
Maybe the best way to honor the remarkable life of Richard Scherberger is to lead like he led. Leadership is for giving and leadership is forgiving. Richard gave so much of himself for so many others maybe we can too. And forgiving — life is too short to hold grudges and anger. When Richard was asked about what he would choose for his last meal. He said, “That’s easy, The Eucharist.” Like Jesus, Richard knew the power of forgiveness!
Richard J. Scherberger Jr. You were a remarkable man who has lived a remarkable life and so many of us are deeply grateful to have shared it with you!