Allan Martin Scharf

Allan Martin Scharf, 89, of Arvada Colorado, died peacefully under hospice care on Thursday, January 8, 2026.

Born on August 7, 1936 and raised on farms on the outskirts of Fort Dodge, Iowa, Allan was a gifted athlete and great student. Allan attended K-12 and junior college in Fort Dodge before going on to serve in the US Army, which took him around the country and to Greenland.  Allan then went on to complete his college education at Augustana College in Sioux Falls, South Dakota, where he graduated with a double major in English and psychology. After marrying his wife, Sandra, and welcoming their first child, Allan moved his family from Iowa to the Denver, Colorado metro area in the late 1960s for work and to raise his family near the Colorado Rocky Mountains. Allan spent most of his professional life as a highly skilled machinist, finishing his career in the nuclear industry.

Allan was always an enthusiastic learner with a very wide range of interests including history, nature, sports, music, reading, camping, and biking. He loved animals and his family always included a plethora of dogs, cats, and other assorted pets who received his endless love and devoted caretaking. When not working long hours to provide for his family, Allan loved to cheer on Colorado and Iowa sports teams, attend museum exhibits and concerts, and visit state and national parks whenever he could. Allan was a very empathetic person who always treated others with patience, compassion, and generosity. He was deeply loved by everyone who had the pleasure of meeting him and he will be long remembered for his intelligence, kindness, humor, work ethic, and beaming smile. He was an exceptional father, husband, and community member.

Allan was preceded in death by his wife, Sandra (Berry); parents, Martin and Emma (Ehlers); sister, Mary, and brother, Walter. He is survived by son, Paul, and daughter Pamela (Mona), along with a large extended family in Colorado, Iowa, and beyond. Allan will be greatly missed, but those he touched with his huge heart will remember him always.

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