Leslie "Les" David Scharf

SCHARF, Leslie D. 94, of Tampa died Friday, October, 25, 2024. Les was born in Milwaukee, Wisconsin on January 25, 1930, to Elmer and Mildred Scharf. He attended The University of Chicago, enrolling at age 15, and graduating at age 18 with a Bachelor of Philosophy degree. He engaged in post baccalaureate studies at Marquette University for a year, prior to commencing his study of law at the University of Wisconsin where he served as Executive Editor of Wisconsin Law Review and graduated with a Bachelor of Laws degree in 1952. At UW, Les met the love of his life, Anita Claire Kaufman. The two married in 1953, and shortly after moved to Washington, D.C. where Les, commissioned the same year as a First Lieutenant, Judge Advocate General Corps, United State Army Reserve, was stationed at the Pentagon, from 1953 to 1955. Les and Anita moved to Tampa in 1955 where Les began his legal career in the private sector with the Fowler White Firm where he began to develop his practice as a real estate attorney. In 1970, Les and a contingent of other partners, including John Trenam, left Fowler White to form Trenam, Simmons, Kemker, Scharf, and Barkin, a firm that thrives today, know now as Trenam Law. Toward the end of his career with Trenam, Les had the opportunity to teach law, his true professional passion, becoming a Distinguished Professorial Lecturer at Stetson University College of Law. Les was civic-minded, serving as a member of the Tampa Downtown Development Authority from 1984 to 1988, and on the Tampa Public Arts Committee from 1988 to 1991. He had a love for books and reading which led him to participate in the USF Radio Reading Service, reading publications to the visually impaired and to his involvement in teaching adults to read. He served as President of his synagogue, Congregation Schaarai Zedek from 1973 to 1975. Although Les took great pride in his legal career, and civic engagement, he sought balance in his life, spending time with his family and friends, and pursuing adventures like scuba diving, flying sailplanes, sea kayaking, and motorcycle touring. He enjoyed a lifelong pursuit of fitness, running, cycling, and swimming until late in life. He and Anita shared a passion for bird watching that led them on many adventures. For many years, Les enjoyed fishing, birding, and relaxing at the family's retreat on Mannsota Key. Above all, Les was a caring, loving and devoted husband, father and grandfather to his family, and a trusted and loyal friend to so many. 

Les was predeceased by Anita who passed away on September 2, 2010. He is survived by his sister, Margie Brown of Rialto, CA, sons and daughters-in-law, Mark and Marsha Scharf of Worcester, MA, David Scharf, and Alan and Kelly Scharf all of Tampa; and grandchildren, Abram, Maren, Benjamin and Julie.

A memorial service will be held at 1 pm on November 1, 2024 at Congregation Shaarai Zedek, 3303 West Swann Avenue, Tampa. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Metropolitan Ministries or the charity of one's choice.