TOWNSHEND, Vt. — Fred F. Scherer died at Valley Cares in Townshend, Vt., Nov. 25, 2013, surrounded by family and friends.

He was born March 1, 1915, in Queens, N.Y., one of nine children of William and Mary Ellen (Gerken) Scherer. He was the last remaining of his siblings.

In 1930, while in an apprenticeship program of The School Art League of New York City, Fred was awarded the Saint Gaudens Medal for Fine Draughtsmanship and the Haney Medal for Fine Craftsmanship.

Fred spent the majority of his working life, 1934 through 1972, in the exhibition department of the American Museum of Natural History. He learned the techniques of painting dioramas from his mentor, artist James Perry Wilson. Fred created and collaborated on numerous dioramas that are still on display at the American Museum of Natural History, including 15 that he personally painted in the Chapman Memorial Bird Hall, the African Hall and the North American Mammal Hall. Millions have seen his work and the dioramas are recognized worldwide.

In 1967, Fred produced a Peruvian desert mural at the World's Fair in New York. After retiring from the American Museum of Natural History, Fred and his wife, artist Cicely Aikman, lived for 32 years in Friendship. He worked for 20 years as art consultant for the Maine State Museum in Augusta, where he also painted dioramas.

A tireless and energetic spirit, he turned his attention to other pursuits including designing and building the family home. An intrepid inventor, he made an endless stream of practical devices, some specializing in successfully deterring squirrels from bird feeders. He was also an early supporter of the modern organic gardening movement. He cultivated blueberry bushes and loved harvesting vegetables from his and Cicely's large garden. While in Maine, he enjoyed going out to fish the waters in and around Friendship Harbor with his lobstermen friends.

Fred grew up in a house filled with music and he was a wonderful self-taught pianist who played by ear. He loved music of all types. He continued to paint and draw up to his final days.

He attended the Advent Christian Church of Friendship for many years, and more recently, the Calvary Chapel in West Townshend, Vt.

Fred is survived by his second wife of 44 years, Cicely Aikman Scherer of Townshend, Vt.; his four children with his first wife, Marguerite Scherer (deceased), including Janice-Ellen Scherer-Dufner and her husband, Frank Dufner, of Lyman, William Scherer and his wife, Sitora, of Cold Spring, N.Y., Deidre Scherer and her husband, Steve Levine, of Williamsville, Vt., and Gregory Scherer and his wife, Makhiruy, of Cold Spring, N.Y.; his adopted daughter, Kim Scherer and her husband, Paul Young, of Seattle, Wash.; his stepson, Paul Breslin and his wife, Catherine, of Paris, France; 14 grandchildren; eight great-grandchildren; and a large extended family. Fred made many friends during his life who will all miss him.

Memorial services will be held on Wednesday, Dec. 4 at 3 p.m. at Valley Cares, 461 Grafton Road in Townshend, Vt., and on Sunday, Dec. 8 at 2 p.m. at Calvary Chapel, Route 30 in West Townshend, Vt. Receptions will follow both events.

Donations can be made in Fred's name to Valley Cares, 461 Grafton Road, Townshend, VT 05353; or to Calvary Chapel, Route 30, West Townshend, VT 05359.