Scherrer, construction veteran, dies at age 80

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Construction industry veteran Elmer Scherrer died Saturday after a battle with cancer. He was 80.

Scherrer was president of Scherrer Construction Co. Inc., Burlington, for 20 years and was among four generations of local construction and development leaders.

After a stint in the Navy, Scherrer guided the company from strictly residential work to commercial construction, according to his obituary.

His son, Peter Scherrer a principal of the Peter Scherrer Group LLC, Burlington, and former president of the Associated General Contractors of Wisconsin, said he continues to follow the real estate and investment combination his father pioneered.

“Our new business is also after that model,” Scherrer said. “We are a real estate developer, but we also have the construction business to support our clients.”

Peter Scherrer said he follows many of the lessons his father taught, including treating people the way one wants to be treated.

“A lot of people commented about the integrity that my father demonstrated and always made sure that he provided the best finished product he could possibly provide,” Peter Scherrer said.

Survivors include his wife of 58 years, Barbara, his two children, Peter and Julie, and numerous grandchildren, great-grandchildren, siblings, nieces and nephews.

A Mass will be celebrated at 11 a.m. Thursday at St. Charles Catholic Church in Burlington. Private burial will take place at All Saints Cemetery in Kenosha. Relatives and friends may meet with the family from 4 to 7 p.m. Wednesday at the Schuette-Daniels Funeral Home, 625 Browns Lake Drive, Burlington.

— Joe Lanane