We and Radio Listeners All Over Eastern Iowa Will Miss The “Shark”

A longtime colleague and friend passed away yesterday far too young.

Gregg Scharnau, or "Shark" as he was known to 94.1 KRNA listeners for nearly two decades, was taken by cancer yesterday. It was his second battle with the illness in his nearly five decades of life. Gregg also spent time as the midday host on another of our sister stations, 104.5 KDAT.

Gregg and I spent nearly 20 years working together. We shared an office for awhile doing commercial production together. Then we each became Brand Managers with offices next to each other. When something didn't go our way, my office or his office were always the meeting place for venting or for a plan of attack... whatever was called for.

Shark had a sense of humor like no other. He would always make you laugh even though sometimes you didn't know why you were laughing. He had a way. When asked just a couple weeks ago how he was doing, his response was, "Better than the Cleveland Browns." That was Shark. A man who never complained about what his health dealt him, always had a smile, had a great love for our industry, and a much greater one for his incredible family. I know Susan and the kids are surrounded by love right now. My heart aches for them and for everyone who knew Shark. He was one-of-a-kind.

A celebration of life is being held in his honor Wednesday, December 28 at Theatre Cedar Rapids. If you'd like to donate to his children's education fund, you can do so through Hills Bank in Marion. It's the "Dylan, Lia, Henry, and Josephine Scharnau Education Fund." Godspeed, Gregg. I know you have a great seat to watch all that your children will accomplish.

Gregg's full obituary is below.

Obituary for Gregg Scharnau
Gregg Justin Scharnau, age 49, was born January 30, 1967, and passed to heaven on Tuesday, December 20, 2016. A resident of Marion, Iowa, Gregg grew up in Dubuque and had also lived in Illinois and Arizona. He was the youngest child of Ralph and Ruth Scharnau, and brother to Andrea and Keith.
As a football player at Dubuque Senior and University of Dubuque, he created many friendships and memories. His career in radio broadcasting began during college at KATF/KDAT, and he later worked at WZOE, KCRG, KDAT, and KRNA. Gregg valued his radio colleagues and mentors.
In 2001, he married Susan Thomas and welcomed Dylan Ivan, Lia Xiao, Henry Kai, and Josephine Lily. Gregg was a loving father and devoted family man. His children carry with them his love, determination, humor, and kindness.
Gregg is survived by his wife; children; parents; sister; brother; nephews, Adam and Eliot; in-laws, Jim and Bonnie Thomas; brother and sister-in-law, Jeff and Tina Thomas and nephews, Harrison and Tucker and niece, Lucy; and many aunts, uncles, cousins, and friends. Gregg was preceded in death by his sister-in-law, Alison Heal and grandparents, Charlie and Marie Cotter & Walter and Ruth Scharnau. Gregg is buried at Oak Shade Cemetery in Marion.
Family and friends are invited to the celebration of his life which will occur on Wednesday, December 28, 2016, at Theatre Cedar Rapids at 7 p.m. with a reception to follow. His family sincerely thanks his entire medical team for their innovation and compassion. They are also grateful for the unceasing love and steady resolve of their thoughtful family and friends. In lieu of flowers or gifts, a memorial fund has been established in his children's names ("Dylan, Lia, Henry, and Josephine Scharnau's Education Fund") at Hills Bank in Marion, Iowa.
To send flowers or a remembrance gift to the family of Gregg Scharnau, please visit our Tribute Store.

[via Stewart Baxter Funeral & Memorial Services]