Andrew Marc Sherman [1959-2011]

St. Petersburg Times Andrew Scherman Obituary

Born January 12, 1959, in New York, died June 8, 2011,in St. Petersburg. Survived by life partner Diane Drutowski; mother Annette Scherman and stepfather Robert Drohlich; and cousins Douglas and Cookie McIntyre, Deven Karpelman, Ross and Melissa Karpelman, Joel and Ericka McIntyre, Rachel McIntyre, Jordan McIntyre, Benjamin Karpelman, Jessica Clark, and Madeline Anne McIntyre. Predeceased by father Norman B. Scherman and cousin Daniel Karpelman.

Andrew graduated from Hempstead High in 1974 while attending Adelphi University. He received a B.S. in History in 1980 and a J.D. in 1984 from the University of Florida, where he was a member of Tau Epsilon Phi fraternity.

In 1970, at the age of 11, representing the U.S. Virgin Islands, Andrew became the youngest player ever to compete in the World Chess Olympiad in Siegen, West Germany. This world record was not broken until 2008. In 1974, at the age of 15, he again represented the U.S. Virgin Islands at the Olympiad in Nice, France, and was again the youngest player. In Nice, his team had the highest finish in its history.

After law school, Andrew worked for the State Attorney’s Office in Sarasota, and then ran a private practice for 14 years. He then became a professional chess coach, teacher, and organizer. For ten years, he was president of the St. Petersburg Chess Club (the oldest continually-operational-on-the-same-site chess club in the Unites States) and was also president of the Florida Chess Association. He organized two state championships, several national events, and a monthly tournament for children and adults.

Andrew was awarded the title of Life Master by the United States Chess Federation in 1993. In 2003, he won the United States G/10 National Championship in Houston, Texas, retaining the title in 2004.

Andrew was president of the Mirror Lake Condominium Association for four years.

He will be remembered for his intelligence, humor, friendships, loyalty, and willingness to help others, and for the children he mentored who’ve grown into wonderful adults.

Contributions in lieu of flowers may be made to: Bay Humane Society, 9240 James Way, Panama City FL 32404 or bayhumanesociety.rescuegroups.org.

Visitation at Gross Funeral Home, June 23, 4-7 pm. Celebration of Life at the Lazy Lobster of Longboat Key, 5350 Gulf of Mexico Drive, Longboat Key, June 24, noon.

Andrew Marc Sherman may you rest in peace.