Scherer, Herbert Grover aged 91, died in St. Paul, Minnesota on December 22, 2021. He retired from the University of Minnesota in 1998, after serving 32 years as Art Librarian. While there, he was an instructor and lecturer in the departments of Art, Art History, and Art Education. In addition to teaching, he enjoyed sharing his love of Art Deco movie theaters with the public. Among other achievements, he co-produced the 1980 Minnesota Public Television documentary Streamlined Dreams and he curated the 1982 University of Minnesota Art Museum exhibition Marquee on Main Street. Herbert was one of the ten founders of Art Libraries of North America, the professional organization of art librarians, which awarded him lifetime membership in 2001. He incorporated his creative research expertise into his joy for music by occasionally selecting cover illustrations and writing for programs of the Minnesota Orchestra and Metropolitan Opera (for touring productions) from 1979-1999. Prior to moving to Minnesota, Herbert earned bachelor's and dual masters' degrees in Art History and Library Science at Case Western Reserve University and was Art Librarian at Syracuse University. He served in active duty in the U.S. Army from 1953-1955. Herbert contributed his language skills - cultivated through his love of opera - while stationed in Austria during the Soviet occupation, and Italy. He was born in Brooklyn, New York in 1930. Herbert had many lifelong passions. These included: maintaining his beloved 1915 Victrola, which he inherited from his grandfather; collecting classical opera records; vociferously interacting with Metropolitan Opera Quizzes during Saturday afternoon radio broadcasts; bursting into song; hosting the University of Minnesota Retiree Association book club and welcoming members; reading Doonesbury cartoons; traveling to beautiful hotels around the world (either in person or virtually via YouTube); savoring Jewish cuisine from Cecil's deli; indulging in chocolate from Regina's; and regaling friends and family with his sharp wit. He is preceded in death by parents Daniel and Eva Scherer. He is survived by his wife of 53 years, Alma Louise Scherer (nee: Schiltgen); daughter, Dana Ann Scherer; sister, Muriel Edith Scherer; and many other family members and friends. A special thank you to staff from the Pillars of Highland Park and AccentCare Fairview Hospice for all their support and care. At Hebert's request, there will be no memorial or funeral services. Instead, you can remember him by listening to Méditation, from the opera Thaïs, which touched his heart.

Published on January 2, 2022