Obituary of Louis A. Scharick

Our Dad (Louie) was born March 9, 1920 in the back of a wagon near Richardton, ND, and passed away May 3, 2013 at the age of 93 in Tumwater, WA. His parents, Anton Scharick and Rosa Klupp, were Hungarian/German immigrates. He was the last survivor, with siblings, Mike Scharick, Kathryn Johnson, Eva Weisgerber, Mary Conley, Zella Morton, Joseph Scharick and an infant brother, Anton, all passing before him. He grew up on a farm in Havelock, ND during the Great Depression. He trapped animals to earn money. He joined the CCC at the age of 16, putting out forest fires in the Black Hills of South Dakota, sending most of his money home to the family. While there, he witnessed Franklin D. Roosevelt drive by in a motorcade on his way to dedicating one of the heads of Mt. Rushmore. He joined the Army at age 17 at Ft. Lincoln, ND. He was at various forts in the south before ending up at Ft. Lewis, WA. While at Ft. Lewis, he went on many field maneuvers under the command of Colonel Dwight D. Eisenhower (known as old “Smiley”). “You had to watch out what would happen next when you saw that smile,” said dad. “On one particular maneuver, Eisenhower completed in three days what should have been three weeks and got called back East, and eventually became ‘Supreme Allied Commander.’” Dad went on to Ft. Campbell, KY and was learning to fly a P47 fighter plane. He had to take some college classes at Xavier in Ohio to help with the training. While there, he played for the Xavier basketball team. Boy, did he love basketball and played very well! He was also a skilled boxer. Things were changing in Europe and the Army then redirected Dad to the infantry. In the fall of 1944, Dad was sent to Swansea, Wales, and met Margaret Rhiannon Lewis. He was then sent to Belgium and fought in the Battle of the Bulge – one of the bloodiest battles of WWII. His ability to speak fluent German, his bravery and his skill as a soldier literally saved his and many other lives, earning him a purple heart, a bronze star, a silver star and the Distinguished Service Medal. In 1947, he returned to Swansea, Wales and married Rhiannon (who passed in 1996). But, the Army still needed him in battle one more time and sent him to South Korea where he earned another purple heart. He “stole” food from the mess hall to give to a Korean orphanage. He tried to adopt a Korean boy but was not allowed. He retired from the Army in 1958 as Sergeant First Class. He went on and worked for the U.S. Post Office in Olympia, WA for many years and retired. Then went to work for the State of Washington and retired again. He raised four children, Richard Scharick, Janice (Tully) Swanberg, Patty (Rod) Warren, and Brenda (Bob) Sabbatino. He is also survived by grandchildren, Dionna Klotz (Aaron), Sean Carlton (Sarah), Trevor Carlton (Jenny), Dorian Swanberg, Sarah LeMier, Keily Warren, and eight great grand children. Dad loved basketball, boxing, Central Oregon, North Dakota, Shari’s Restaurant, and his family. He sacrificed everything for his family and country. REST IN PEACE, DAD. We love and miss you! No local service planned. Burial will take place in Central Oregon. Donations may be made to your favorite charity in his honor. Please leave memories of Louie or condolences for his family in the Guestbook below.