Kent Darnell Scheier

On February 25, Kent Darnell Scheier passed away unexpectedly at home after a brief illness. He was 79 years old. 

He was born in Greenville, SC to Army Air Force 1st Lieutenant Milburn Darnell Scheier and his wife, Elva Ruth. As a military family, they relocated several times including to Mather AFB where brother Douglas was born, and then March AFB where brother Gary joined the family. The next assignment was RAF Mildenhall where, as a middle schooler, he attended boarding school in London during the week with the other American kids from the base. While in England, he made Eagle Scout.

 Back in the states, Kent’s family found themselves at Kincheloe AFB in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula. He attended Rudyard High School where he excelled at football and track, and was voted best dancer in his senior class, graduating 1963. He liked to tell the story of the typing teacher, Mrs. Kahl, stopping him in the hallway and practically conscripting him into her class the following semester. It would serve him well a few years later.

After high school, he enrolled at Lake Superior Community College, but the Scheiers soon found themselves returning to Mather AFB. Shortly thereafter, Kent enlisted in the Navy where he was stationed aboard the USS Agerholm, a destroyer bound for Vietnam. After proving himself proficient on both manual and electric typewriters, he became Personnel Specialist 3rd Class and responsible for all the enlisted mens’ records on board ship. Thank you, Mrs. Kahl.

During his tenure aboard the “Aggie” an explosion aboard the aircraft carrier Forrestal resulted in a huge fire and the loss of many lives. The Aggie was assigned to follow behind the Forrestal and look for survivors or victims. 

Once out of the Navy he returned to school, enrolling at Sacramento City College, and ultimately graduating from Sacramento State with a BS in Business Administration with an emphasis on information science. There followed nearly 30 years at SMUD in information technology. 

Kent and Martha were married in January of 1971, starting an adventure that would last for over five decades. He enjoyed playing golf, tennis, soccer, and softball and she enjoyed watching him. He was even on the SMUD bowling team, but she hated sitting in smoke filled bowling alleys. He introduced her to skiing and sailing, which they joyfully shared for many years together and with their children. He loved spending time with his family. They camped in the summer, skied in the winter, and sailed all year long. He coached the kids’ soccer and softball teams and cheered from the sidelines when his son played high school soccer and volleyball. 

Once they were both retired, they had more time for traveling and discovered they liked the comforts of cruising. They made several ocean and river voyages until a bad back made it hard for him to walk more than very short distances.

His passing leaves a huge hole in this small, tight-knit family. Kent is survived by Marty, his wife of 54 years, daughter Brenna, son Colin, granddog Zoe, and brother Gary and his wife Colleen. 

He will be laid to rest at the Sacramento Valley National Cemetery in Dixon on March 18, 2025 at 2PM. There will be a Celebration of Life in May. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to the Front Street Animal Shelter or the Sacramento SPCA.