Richard S. Schermerhorn March 12, 1922 - January 21, 2025

World War II Veteran, Richard S. Schermerhorn, 102, who cleared mines on the Normandy Beaches during the D-Day Assault, died Tuesday, January 21, 2025, in the Lehigh Valley Hospital. He was a Luther Crest resident since 2010. He was among the few Lehigh Valley remaining survivors of the Allied Invasion of occupied Nazi-occupied Europe. Married for nearly 69 years, he was the husband of the late Louise M. (Jones) Schermerhorn. Born in Gloversville, New York, he was a son of the late Gerald B. and Viva V. (Sanford) Schermerhorn. Until retirement in 1987, he was a commercial paper salesman for both Philadelphia and Allentown area companies.
A 1941 graduate of the State University of New York at Morrisville, he enlisted in the Army and traveled by sea to England to prepare for the June 6, 1944, Normandy Landing. As an amphibious engineer with the 531st Engineer Shore Regiment, and later the 279th Combat Engineer Battalion, Dick spent the remainder of the War in France, Belgium, Germany and The Netherlands and served in the German Saar region when the war ended to assist with moving American equipment to the American Sector. A superb storyteller, he loved to relate not only wartime stories, but recalled and shared memories from every decade of his life. A lifetime devoted and generous volunteer, Richard relished serving anyone with no hesitation. Upon joining St. Paul’s Lutheran Church, in 1953, he jokingly said he served in every capacity, except for singing in the choir. Along with his close friends, he procured foods and served breakfast to center-city individuals for decades and also organized and served hundreds during the annual St. Paul’s Thanksgiving meals. Richard was a member of Nativity Lutheran.
Fishing trips to Canada and the Northeast brought him great pleasure, especially casting his line in pristine Adirondack lakes. Crossword puzzles, reading, attending local, (especially Iron Pigs games and Penn State 50-yard line football games), and other sports events always brought pleasure. At age 3, he became a Yankee’s fan, when his Grandfather took him to his first game. A Yankee Fan Club member, he also served through the Kiwanis Club, American Legion, Y’s Men, VFW, and Battle of the Bulge Group. As a member of the Dutch Settlers of Albany, he traced his Dutch ancestry to family settlers in Fort Orange, now Albany and Schenectady.
Boasting about his beloved family gave him the greatest pleasure. He journaled each family member’s birthdate and accomplishments in his infamous notebook.
Survivors include children, Richard J. Schermerhorn and his wife, Susan M. of Selbyville, DE, Nancy S. Moats and her husband, Simeon of Vienna, VA, Jane L. Eby and her husband Glenn of Fort Myers, FL, David S. Schermerhorn and his wife, Nancy of Swiftwater, Carol S. Schermerhorn of Ambler; 12 grandchildren, and 20 great-grandchildren. He is also predeceased by his first wife, Mary (Fraggiosa) Schermerhorn, daughter, Diane M. Bates, and his granddaughter, Alyssa Corrigan.
Services: A celebration of Richard’s life will be announced at a later date. Arrangements by Stephens Funeral Home, Inc. https://www.stephensfuneral.com
Contributions: Diakon Benevolent Care for Luther Crest (www.diakon.org/giving) or mail to Diakon, Office of Development, Gift Administration, 1 South Home Avenue, Topton, PA. 19562-1317.
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