If one thing was agreed upon by friends and family about 21-year-old Stephen Scherer, it was that he lived to serve others.
Friends, family, employers from the TCU Police Department and professors filled the John V. Roach Professional Development Center in the Tucker Technology Center Thursday to celebrate the life of Scherer, who died from a self-inflicted gunshot wound Oct. 3.
Jessica Ho, a modern dance major and friend of Scherer’s, said that Scherer got into the habit of driving her to her off-campus house after late-night rehearsals during his shift on Froggie Five-O, even though his job prohibited him from assisting students who did not live on campus.
Although Ho always told Scherer that she was afraid his off-campus driving would get him in trouble, he always told her that it was part of his responsibility. He always put everyone else above himself, she said.
“[Scherer] said, “This is what Froggie Five-0 is for…to make sure people are safe,'” Ho said.
Aside from being a health and fitness major, a member of the U.S. Military Academy rifle team before coming to TCU and member of the USA Shooting Olympic Team, Scherer’s family and friends most frequently spoke of his loyal and loving fellowship with God.
Sophomore Sarah Scherer, Stephen Scherer’s younger sister, said that Stephen sought and found his strength in Christ and wanted to be that strength for others. He took every moment of his life to make it special for someone else, she said.
“[He] was a person in my life that was so steady, like a rock,” Sarah Scherer said. “Right now he’s with that rock.”
Refreshments consisting of Stephen Scherer’s favorite foods were offered, including pizza, Coca-Cola, chips with sour cream and onion dip, and Nutella.
Ashutosh Pudasaini, a friend of Stephen Scherer’s, said that among the many new things that he experienced with Stephen, including cliff-diving and cooking, it was the introduction of Nutella, a hazelnut spread that tastes like chocolate, that was one of the most memorable.
“Stephen knew I was a huge chocolate fan,” Pudasaini said.
A jar of Nutella was even placed on top of the podium as the Rev. Angela Kaufman, minister to the university, made the closing comments and prayer.
“We learn most about those in our lives from stories,” Kaufman said.
After friends were invited to share memories and stories from their time with Stephen Scherer, his mother and sister presented a slideshow with some of Stephen’s favorite music that commemorated his life. Musical selections included the hymn “It is Not Death to Die,” and the slideshow included pictures of his childhood, camping trips, travels and moments spent with loved ones.
After the service, Kaufman invited everyone to stay longer, if desired, to be together to share in the comfort and joy that Stephen Scherer brought to so many different lives.