Arvid Martin Scherpf, Sr.

Arvid Martin Scherpf, 89, of Lititz, PA, passed away peacefully at home on February 24, 2026, with his wife of 71 years, Donna Rae Scherpf (Russell), by his side. Arvid was born in New York City, NY, to Milton John Scherpf, Sr., and Lillian Jean Scherpf (nee Larsen).

Arvid attended Mannheim Township High School, where he met the love of his life, Donna Rae Russell. Donna and Arvid were married on March 4, 1955, soon starting their family and building a home (themselves) on an acre of land partitioned from the Lititz family farm.

After high school, Arvid was employed by Armstrong Cork Company, working his way up to shift foreman. He then served in the Army as a battlegroup photographer in Baumholder, Germany, and in the Army Reserves, receiving a good conduct medal and an honorable discharge. After returning from Europe, Arvid worked for McCloud's Plumbing Company.

With the arrival of their fourth child, Michael, the family moved to South Broad Street in Lititz. Thinking it would be a great project for Arvid and the older boys, Marty and Jeff, to work on together, Donna mailed a dollar to the Lancaster New Era for plans to build a small 14' wooden sailboat. Little did she know that this would be the catalyst that changed the compass course of the family's journey—as sailors know, a difference of a few degrees can have a profound effect on the destination over time and distance—a sea change. It wasn't long after testing the waters with the small wooden boat that the family sought out a larger vessel—a 28' wooden skipjack in Havre de Grace, MD.

When he and Donna learned the owner was looking to sell, they bought Havre de Grace Marina and moved the family to Havre de Grace in 1970. Over the next 36 years, Arvid, Donna, and their two sons Marty and Jeff, grew the business to include two marinas in Havre de Grace—the original location on Water Street and the Log Pond on Concord Street—and Boca del Rio in Bradenton, FL.

They also established Havre de Grace Yacht Sales, with Maryland sales offices in Havre de Grace, Annapolis, and Georgetown and Florida sales offices in Clearwater and Bradenton. They focused the dealership intentionally on high quality performance racing and cruising sailboats from both imported and domestic manufacturers. Havre de Grace Yacht Sales & Marinas was truly a family business. While Arvid was President, Donna was an equal partner as Secretary and Treasurer, Jeff was Vice President, Jeff's wife Sarah was office manager in Havre de Grace, Marty managed the Boca del Rio marina, and briefly, Kim managed the Clearwater sales office and Catherine the Annapolis sales office.

Arvid was a Coast Guard-licensed captain (50 ton), celestial navigator and racing sailor, not only locally on the Susquehanna River, but also on the Chesapeake Bay and Atlantic ocean. He raced his Star boat in Havre de Grace Yacht Club's Thursday night races. He was an inspector and navigator for the Marion to Bermuda Race, navigator on the Annapolis to Bermuda Race and on a voyage from Cape Town, South Africa, to Palm Island, FL. In addition to sailing on various bodies of water, Arvid also sailed the skies. He obtained his pilot's license at Aldino Airport and first owned an Aztec followed by a Piper Arrow Turbo. Once Havre de Grace Yacht Sales and Marinas was established, Arvid and Donna bought a series of second homes in Florida. Their favorite was on an oceanfront cottage on Palm Island, with a dock for a small fishing boat on an inlet in the back. They loved spending the winter months on the Gulf Coast and with their many friends. Not long ago, Arvid and Donna returned to their home port—the home they built together in Lititz when they were first married. Arvid was preceded in death by his parents; his brothers, Milton John Scherpf, Jr., and Herbert David Scherpf; his sister, Cynthia Leah Scherpf; his son, Arvid Martin Scherpf, Jr.; and his daughter-in-law, Sarah Gleason Scherpf. In addition to his wife, Donna, Arvid is survived by his daughter, Kim Jordan; his sons, David Jeffery Oluf Scherpf, Sr. (Catherine) and Michael Raymond Scherpf (Stephanie); nine grandchildren: Kirsten Mason, Adam Mason (Jasmine), Emily Goodyear (Joseph), Jessica Galbraith (Chris), David Scherpf (Krista), Benjamin Scherpf, Dylan Scherpf, Katelyn Scherpf, and Kali Scherpf; eight great‑grandchildren: Raven Ickes, Trinity Ickes, Rena Mason, Mya Mason, Cash Goodyear, Aspen Goodyear, Madison Galbraith and Jamison Galbraith; and three great-great-grandchildren: Tailon Ickes, Soren Ickes and Ronan Ickes.

Memorial Services will be held at Coleman Memorial Chapel, 1980 Furnace Hills Pike, Lititz, PA 17543 on Friday, March 20, 2026 at 11AM. Friends may greet and visit with Arvid’s family prior to the service from 10-11AM. Interment will follow in Lititz United Lutheran Cemetery in Brickerville. Helping young people learn how to sail was important to Arvid. In lieu of flowers, please consider making a tax-deductible donation in his name to the Havre de Grace Youth Sailing Program at hdgyouthsailing.org.