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Scher closes 40-year career at courthouse

Steve Scher (second from left) accepts a plaque from Huntington County Commissioners Kathy Branham (far left), Tom Wall (second from right) and Jerry Helvie (far right) on Friday, July 30, honoring Scher’s 40 years of service as a county employee.
Steve Scher (second from left) accepts a plaque from Huntington County Commissioners Kathy Branham (far left), Tom Wall (second from right) and Jerry Helvie (far right) on Friday, July 30, honoring Scher’s 40 years of service as a county employee. Photo by Matt Murphy.

Forty years working in the same office.

Not many retirees can claim such a feat, but that statement exactly describes Steve Scher, now former chief deputy surveyor for Huntington County.

Scher came to be employed at the county surveyor's office in 1970, after a friend had offered to help Scher get a position in the office. Scher had just been released from the U.S. Army, where he served with an artillery unit in Korea from 1966 to 1968.

"I've had an enjoyable 40 years," Scher said. "Every day's a little bit different."

Scher's primary responsibilities with his last title were to perform fieldwork on county ditches and oversee the office when Jay Poe, Huntington County surveyor, was not present.

"The drains in Huntington County have come a long way," Scher said. "We've helped a lot of people ... the drainage board and the farmers here are very proactive."

Poe, who is the third surveyor to serve during Scher's tenure in the office, praised Scher for his knowledge and dedication.

"He's going to be irreplaceable," Poe said. "He has helped me immensely. He has a great knowledge of my office and other offices; how do you replace that? Whoever walks in has some awfully big shoes to fill."

Scher himself has aspects of the position that he will miss.

"The main thing I'll miss ... is just to see the strides made in drainage in Huntington County," Scher said. "I've just enjoyed being with the people."

Poe hosted a retirement party for Scher at the Huntington County Courthouse on Friday afternoon, July 30. The Huntington County Commissioners also formally recognized Scher for his work for the county.

Scher was married, although his wife has passed away, and also has a daughter who is a dispatcher for the City of Huntington.