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Retiring Rev. Scharf rediscovers his calling during World War II
By Colette M. Jenkins
Beacon Journal religion writer
Published on Saturday, Feb 14, 2009
A nudge from God forced the Rev. David L. Scharf off a road leading to a classroom onto a path into the ministry.
That was six decades ago during World War II, when he was working as an assistant to an Army chaplain.
''I began to get this feeling that this is what I am supposed to do,'' said Scharf, 89. ''I wrote my wife and said I didn't want it to be a foxhole decision, but I needed to change my career from a teacher to a pastor. She said she supported my decision.''
On Sunday, Scharf will retire as pastor emeritus at Holy Trinity Lutheran Church, after 60 years in the ministry. He will be honored during the 8:30 and 11 a.m. services at the Akron church, at 50 N. Prospect St. Scharf will preach at both services.
''At 89 years old, I've never met anyone with his energy or his commitment. It's unbelievable how he still gets in his car and goes to visit people at the hospitals, in nursing homes and in their homes,'' said Bob Nagle, president of the church council at Holy Trinity. ''He epitomizes what a pastor should be from a preaching standpoint and from a leadership standpoint.''
Scharf, who was born in a parsonage in Urbana, is the son of a Lutheran pastor. His family moved to Chicago when he was in second grade. He graduated from high school in 1935 in
Freeport, Ill., and entered Carthage College, where he intended to pursue studies to be a minister.
While at Carthage, Scharf lost his ''feeling'' that the ministry was his destiny and switched his course of study to teaching. After receiving his bachelor's degree, he taught for a year at a high school in Woodland, Ill., before returning to Ohio to be with his parents in Baltic.
He enrolled at Ohio State University, where he received an undergraduate degree in education. While looking for a teaching position (which he found at Chandlersville High School outside Zanesville), he lived with his parents.
One day, his mother asked him to deliver some Vacation Bible School material to Bonnie Huprich, who would become his wife.
''We started talking and at about 9 p.m., I figured I better get home,'' Scharf said. ''I went back the next night and the next and the next and the next.''
Teaching career ends
After Scharf received his draft letter in the fall of 1942, his 21/2-month teaching career at Chandlersville ended. He traveled to Akron for an Army physical at the old Portage Hotel. Despite a serious elbow injury, he was drafted.
On his way to report for active duty, he gave his wife-to-be an engagement ring. They were married on Oct. 21, 1943, a few months before Scharf was sent overseas.
He was assigned to the 77th Infantry Division and earned three battle stars for the Battle of Guam, Leyte in the Philippines and Okinawa. He applied and was assigned as an assistant to a Lutheran chaplain.
Religious path
After his discharge from the Army, he enrolled in Hamma Seminary at Wittenberg University in January 1946. He was ordained on Feb. 13, 1949, at Zion Lutheran Church in Paris, Ohio.
In May 1952, he was called to St. John's in Stony Ridge, near Toledo. In 1963, he went to work in the Ohio synod office as an assistant to the president. In 1974, he went to the pastorate at First Lutheran Church in Parkersburg, W.Va., until his retirement in 1984.
''I thought I had had enough of 70- and 80-hour weeks and would go somewhere where they wanted a part-time guy,'' Scharf said.
New spiritual home
During his search, he ended up at Holy Trinity, where he was hired in 1984. About a month after coming to Akron, a traffic accident killed the Scharfs' daughter, Jean.
''The people here at Trinity were a tower of strength for us,'' Scharf said. ''They wrapped their arms around us and we knew we were with family.''
The Scharfs also have a son, Ray, who lives in London, Ohio.
Pastor lauded
Although Scharf came to Trinity to fulfill a mission of being a visitation pastor, he has performed funerals, weddings and baptisms. In his retirement, he plans to join his wife in the pews at Trinity.
''He is a very gracious man who loves his Lord and he has been a wonderful pastor to people. He's very patient, warm and loving,'' said the Rev. Landis Coffman, senior pastor at Trinity. ''There aren't many signs that he's 89. He just amazes me. This is his second retirement. I wouldn't be surprised if he writes a new resume, looking for another job at age 90. He's just waiting for the next nudge from the Holy Spirit.''
Colette Jenkins can be reached at 330-996-3731 or cjenkins@thebeaconjournal.com.
A nudge from God forced the Rev. David L. Scharf off a road leading to a classroom onto a path into the ministry.
Get the full article here.
Comments
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Posted 01:17 PM, 02/14/2009
A good story about a life well lived.
