Dennis Scherzinger

Dennis Martin Scherzinger, age 79, died August 16, 2015, in his home in Napa after a courageous battle with Alzheimer’s. Born inBridgeportNebraska in1936and raised in Vallejo, he was the son of Martin and Sylvia (Boodry) Scherzinger.  Dennis graduated from Vallejo High School in 1953, attended the US Naval Academy for two years and then completed his studies at the University of California at Berkeley with a degree in Civil Engineering in 1957. While attending Officers Candidate School in Newport Rhode Island he met his future wife Kay. Dennis was active in the Civil Engineer Corps at Guantanamo Bay Cuba until 1961.  He continued as a SeaBee until he retired from the Navy with a rank of Lt. Commander in 1979.

He began his engineering career with the San Mateo County Department of Public Works designing roads then moved to Napa County to work on flood control and subdivision projects. In 1968 he became Chief Engineer for the City of Oakland Redevelopment Agency, and then became Engineer-Manager of the Vallejo Sanitation and Flood Control District where he found his passion. Dennis completed major projects, including a brand new modern wastewater treatment plant to serve Vallejo and Mare Island. In 1982 as Engineer-Manager of the Napa Sanitation Districthe worked to providerecycled water for agriculture purposes to avoid discharge into the bay.In his heart he was a conservationist.  Dennis retired in 1989 after 32 years of engineering work.

An avid sailor, Dennis and his wife enjoyed racing their Lido 14, sailing around the San Francisco Bay, and in the Bahamas.  Always involved, Dennis was the Commodore of the Vallejo Yacht Club, a member of the Grand Jury, Treasurer of the Napa Rotary Club, a volunteer at the Napa Visitors Center, and a member of the Technical Advisory Panel to the Napa River Flood Control Project.

He leaves his wife of 57 years, Kay (Ouellette) Scherzinger; his son, Kurt Scherzinger and his wife, Sharon; his daughter, Kristi Scherzinger and her husband, Jeff Heinitz; his grandchildren, Erik, Tyler, Evan, Madeline and Cameron; brother-in-law, Warren Adams and his wife, Mary; and sister-in-law, Eleanor Schofield.  Dennis was preceded in death by his parents and sister, Glenda Adams. A remembrance is planned to be held at the Vallejo Yacht Club.  For details contact his family.  Memories and words of sympathy may be shared with the family on-line at www.tulocaycemetery.org.

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