Dean L. Scherman
Born November 17, 1951 | Deceased October 10, 2009
Dean was raised by Herbert and Naomi Scherman on their farm just north of Paola where Dean learned his notable work ethic. He was a member of 4-H and was involved in several school activities while excelling in the classroom. After graduating from Paola High School in 1970, Dean attended Kansas State University earning a Bachelor of Science Degree in Radio & Television Broadcasting. At Emporia State University he earned his Master’s Degree in Physical Science Education.
He and Angela Butel were married at Holy Trinity Church in Paola on August 7, 1976. Together they raised three children, Nathan, Deanna, and Lee. Their children were the joy and focus of their lives.
After teaching and living in Osage City, KS for two years, Dean, Angela, and Nathan moved back to Paola in 1979 and Dean began his 27 year teaching career at Paola High School where he taught Electronics, Principals of Technology, and his favorite class, Physics. He loved being at school to interact with and teach students. He was very energetic and positive in the classroom. He loved to make learning fun with exciting experiments, hands on projects, and using riddles and jokes to help his students learn.
His involvement with his students also led him to participate in events like Solar Powered Electric Car Races and the passion of his last 7 years, Panther Robotics. Dean mentored with fellow instructor Harold Homrighausen, ,”H”, the Solar Powered Electric Car team which participated and fared well in several state wide events, winning their first race. His daughter, Deanna, was also a part of that team. Being able to work with H and Deanna was the highlight of that experience for him.
In 2002, Dean was presented an opportunity to mentor a group of students as a team in US FIRST Robotics. He agreed to mentor and alongside several teachers, volunteers and a team of 10 students, including his son Lee, Panther Robotics was born. The success of Panther Robotics speaks for itself. They won the first Regional Competition they entered in 2003 also winning the Rookie All-Star Award which is the most prestigious award attainable for first year teams. They followed that up by winning the Rookie All-Star Award at the National Competition as well. Since then the success has continued, winning many awards, including five Regional Chairman awards, the highest award given at Regional Competitions, in the six years since their rookie season.
Dean’s dedication to Robotics inspired him to join the original Kansas City Regional Planning Committee which helped boost the number of participating schools in the Kansas City area. At the 2009 Greater Kansas City Regional competition, Dean was honored as the Outstanding Volunteer of the Year. Though seeking personal awards was never a goal for him, he was deeply moved and proud to be recognized for his efforts.
Dean’s love for teaching and his children led him to coach many ball teams over the years. Whether it was soccer, basketball, softball, or baseball, Dean thoroughly enjoyed working with his children. He spent countless hours playing in the yard, teaching them to throw and catch baseballs, softballs, and footballs, or shoot hoops in the driveway. He was very proud of his sons and daughter in their sporting events; win or lose.
All three children were also involved in 4-H just as Dean and Angela were during their childhood years. He and Angela became actively involved as Community Leaders in Progressive 4-H club, with Dean eventually joining the Miami County Fair Association, serving on the Board for many years. Dean and Angela volunteered together organizing, leading, and participating in events like camps, Interstate Exchange Trips, 4-H Ambassadors, and the annual highlight, the Miami County Fair. Both have enjoyed the interaction with 4-Hers from all over the county and especially enjoy the many friendships they have made through the years. During the 2009 fair, Dean and Angela were initiated into the Miami County Fair Hall of Fame in honor of their dedication to the 4-H organization.
In March 2009, Dean became a grandfather with the birth of Emma Jean Scherman, daughter of Nathan and his wife Colleen. Instantly a proud grandpa, Dean loved holding and playing with Emma at every opportunity and began trying to teach her anything he could, especially using sign language to say “grandpa”.
In May 2009, Dean was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer. Once the severity of the disease was determined, plans were made to help Dean realize one of his childhood dreams; witnessing NASA launch a spacecraft into orbit. With assistance from fellow Robotics mentors, his story reached the Guest Relations department at Kennedy Space Center. They invited the entire family to take a personal tour of the KSC facilities, which allowed them to be close enough for Dean to touch one of the Space Shuttles while it was being prepared for its next launch. One of his favorite memories in the last several months of his life was taking that trip with his family to the Orlando area which also included a trip to Sea World and his first time ever in an ocean while at Cocoa Beach.
Dean had a positive impact on so many lives. Whether that impact is great or small, we all have our own memories to keep with us and lessons learned that we can pass on to keep his legacy as a teacher alive for a long time to come.
To read articles written in the Miami County Republic about Dad, click the following links.
Scherman Leaves Lasting Legacy
Paola Will Greatly Miss Dean Scherman
A Memorable Endeavor - July 2009
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