Lee Scharfeld
Lee Scharfeld passed away on October 30, 2024 at the age of 93, leaving a legacy of dedication to family and community, and a spirit of exploration and adventure.
Born in Ohio in 1931 to Jack and Sarah Lou, he moved with his family to Los Angeles at age 8. He watched his father, a skilled tailor who had immigrated as a teenager from Austria, make suits, instilling in him an early appreciation for precision and craft. In high school, he was a competitive rope climber who could dazzle on the high bar and with handstands. He developed a passion for amateur radio, both in building equipment and connecting with the world around him—pursuits that would weave through and shape the rest of his life.
After attending Caltech, he served as a Staff Sergeant in the Air Force Air Defense Command during the Korean War. Following additional coursework at UCLA, he explored Mexico, learning Spanish and immersing himself in the local culture. Returning to Los Angeles, he worked in electronics with Magnavox Labs and Bendix Corporation. Through Bendix, he joined NASA’s Manned Space Flight Program as a field engineer and supervisor at the Canary Islands tracking station, contributing to the Mercury, Gemini, and Apollo missions, which put the first American in orbit and the first man on the moon.
In the Canary Islands, he also met the woman who would become his wife, Lena. They settled in Santa Barbara and raised three children: Anna, Tom, and Jenny. Driven to make a positive impact on the community, he became active in local affairs. He helped establish the Old Town Business Improvement District for downtown revitalization, served on the Planning Commission, and spent 13 years on the Santa Barbara School and High School District (now Unified) Board of Education, where among his many contributions, he advocated for the arts and both men’s and women’s sports alongside core academics.
In more recent years, he pursued building restoration projects in California and Europe, traveling by train and ship and engaging with locals along the way.
His creative problem-solving, analytical mind, and hands-on approach shone in his projects and community service. A lover of words and tools, he valued the right word and the right tool for the job. Known for his sharp wit and love of conversation, he engaged others with humor and spirited debate. And with his firm handshake, he left a lasting impression on those he met. Above all, he deeply loved his family and will be dearly missed.
He is preceded in death by his parents and sister, Rhita. He is survived by his wife, their three children, and three grandchildren.
Those who wish to share a memory, offer a condolence, or connect with the family may reach out by email at leescharfeld.memorial@gmail.com. Your words and memories are sincerely appreciated.