Victor Scherer

Madison - Victor Scherer passed away at home with family at his side on Wednesday, August 15, 2012 after a long and courageous battle with leukemia.

He was born in Vilna, Poland during the Holocaust. He and his parents fled the country and were the sole surviving members of their family; the rest lost their lives in concentration camps. They settled in the Bronx, NY where he grew up with a life long love of music. He studied piano under the great Eduard Steuermann and Russell Sherman and went on to perform in New York, winning several competitions.

He was academically gifted, completing high school at 16. He went to City College of NY, where he graduated Phi Beta Kappa in Physics and Math. He also had a love of history and won an academic medal. He earned an MS in Physics from Columbia University, and later obtained his PhD in Physics at UW Madison. He continued to work at UW Madison as a computer consultant for over 30 years and loved his work and colleagues.

Victor married the love of his life, Gail Dobrofsky, in NY in 1963 and they settled in Madison, WI for graduate school. Throughout his life, Victor made music a central focus, continuing to play the piano and teach others. He listened to classical music each day as it moved him emotionally and spiritually.

He was diagnosed with leukemia in 2008 and battled it with an intense will to live for 4 years with his wife at his side as caregiver. He is survived by his wife, Gail, his children, Helena (Reed) and Markus (Susan), and four loving grandchildren.

A private funeral was held on August 17, 2012 officiated by Rabbi Ben Gideon. The family wishes to thank the wonderful doctors and nurses at the UW Carbone Cancer Center as well as the amazing staff from Agrace Hospice and many friends and neighbors, all who made a true difference in his long and difficult battle with cancer. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to UW Carbone Cancer Center or Agrace Hospice.