Richard Scharrer, Knickerbocker Yacht Club's manager for more than 25 years, died of cancer at age 52 on May 31, 2006.

Dick Scharrer graduated SUNY Maritime College at Fort Schuyler in 1975 with a Bachelor of Science in Marine Transportation and a US Merchant Marine License: 3rd Mate Unlimited Tonnage. After graduation, he briefly operated the Bridgeport and Port Jefferson Ferries. He began as assistant dockmaster of Knickerbocker Yacht Club in Port Washington at age 22 and was promoted to dockmaster within several years. The members quickly realized his exceptional capabilities and promoted him to club manager, where he served 13 commodores and was truly the irreplaceable guiding spirit of KYC.

The members and staff of KYC will remember Dick for his dignity, his patience, his unfailing grace under pressure and his warm smile. At the commissioning ceremonies for Knickerbocker Yacht Club on April 29, 2006 Dick Scharrer, surrounded by his family, was awarded the Paul Zamzok Memorial Trophy, which is annually given to the member who has performed extraordinary services for the benefit of the club. This tribute was but a small example of the high regard in which he was held by those at the club he guided for three decades.

Dick Scharrer is survived by his wife Sherry, his son Richard, his daughter Kelly, his mother Lucille, his brother William and his sisters Lucille Rudek, Patricia Gray, Peggy Ann Cuervo and Barbara Wolfmann. A memorial service at Knickerbocker Yacht Club will be held on Saturday, June 24 at 11 a.m.