Kalas Funeral Home & Crematory

St. John Neumann Catholic Church

Marcus Dean Scharf, USAF (Lt. Col, Ret), age 90.

Faithful husband, attentive and loving father and father-in-law, fun grandpa, dutiful son, brother, uncle, friend, neighbor, and Veteran; 

Mark passed away on May 22, 2024 in Annapolis, Maryland. 

Born on May 14, 1934 to Edward J and Julia N Scharf in Portage, Wood County, Ohio, Mark grew up farming and learning the art of fixing pretty much anything. His older sister Georgie and older brother Jon were incredible role models to him. 

Mark attended The Ohio State University on an Air Force ROTC scholarship, graduating in 1957 as a chemical engineer, at which time he was commissioned as an Air Force Officer. During this time, he met his beautiful bride, Alice Ann Stahl whom he married on June 14, 1958 at St. Vincent de Paul Catholic Church in Wheeling, WV, and with whom he would have celebrated 66 years of marriage this June. Raised by a devoutly Christian mother, he was a deeply faithful Catholic from age 23 (at the OSU Neman Center) until his passing.

His duty stations included: Lackland AFB, TX; Harlingen, TX; Keesler AFB, MS; Stead AFB, NV; Castle AFB, CA; Ramey AFB, Puerto Rico, Wright Patterson AFB, OH; Otis AFB, MA; Korat AB, Thailand; Tan Son Nhut Air Base, Saigon, Vietnam;  Andrews AFB, MD; and the Pentagon.

During his time in USAF, Mark was promoted to the rank of Lt. Colonel, had one son and four daughters. He trained as a navigator and electronic warfare officer, and crewed as an EWO on B-52 planes. He served one entire year in Thailand/Vietnam, which had a profound impact on his young family.

Mark retired from USAF in Camp Springs, MD in 1979; he then helped form a defense contracting consulting business “DEACONS” with two friends in Crystal City, VA, and later continued as a contractor for Sanders Assoc., BAE, and Lockheed Martin for several years. 

Then, his life became so much more fun. Upon full retirement, he and Allie moved to Saefern/Annapolis, MD, and bought the sailboat Raven with special friends. For the next 35 years, Mark and Allie, their friends, their kids, grandkids, and many others enjoyed the view from the deck.  He was a member of Sailing Club of the Chesapeake.  Mark’s incredible generosity, hospitality, and handyman skills all came together on the Raven. 

For the last ten years, Mark increasingly suffered with Alzheimer’s Disease, to which he peacefully succumbed. 

Mark leaves to cherish his memory his devoted wife, Allie, of Annapolis, his daughters Terry (Frank) Allnutt of Keedysville, MD, Cindy (Olivia Pickett) Scharf of Silver Spring, MD, Gretchen (Steve) Mahoney of Newark DE, and Lisa Triepke of Missoula, MT; his grandchildren Emily Duran, Marcus (Lauren Youngcourt) Allnutt, Thomas Mahoney, Ethan Allnutt, Christopher, Mahoney Julia Mahoney, Maxwell Triepke, Samuel Triepke, Sidney Triepke, and Jackson Triepke; his great-grandchildren Suzana, Lucia, and Robinson Duran; his sister-in-law Virginia Scharf; his nieces Joanna Scharf and Elizabeth Scharf; cousin Neil Hazel and several nieces and nephews. He also loved and leaves behind devoted godsons Tim Seh and John Nemecek, and several dear friends from over the years.

Mark was predeceased by his parents, his infant son Gregory, infant grandson Francis Leo Allnutt, his siblings and his nephews. Many thanks to the caring staff at Charter Senior Living of Annapolis and Hospice of the Chesapeake.

Family and friends are invited to a memorial gathering on Friday, June 14, from 5 to 7 pm (Military Honors 6:45 pm) at the Kalas Funeral Home & Crematory, 2973 Solomons Island Road, Edgewater, MD 21037. A memorial Mass will be offered on Saturday, June 15, 2024, at 10:30 am at St. John Neumann Catholic Church, 620 Bestgate Road, Annapolis, MD 21401. The inurnment will be at a later date in Portage Village, Wood County, OH.

Donations may be made to the <a href="https://www.hospicechesapeake.org/giving/donate-now/">Hospice of the Chesapeake</a> or <a href="https://secure.foldsofhonor.org/site/Donation2?df_id=3267&mfc_pref=T&3267.donation=form1&_gl=1*r32i6s*_ga*MTUyODM5OTE2LjE3MTY3Mjk3Njg.*_ga_N9059M89W0*MTcxNjcyOTc2Ny4xLjEuMTcxNjcyOTc4NS40Mi4wLjA.">Folds of Honor Foundation scholarships in Mark’s honor</a>.

Please leave a condolence for the family by signing the guestbook at the Memories tab on this page.

Lt. Col. Marcus Scharf

Lt. Col. Marcus Scharf

Lt. Col. Marcus Scharf Services

Memorial Gathering

Memorial Mass