Jack Raymond Sauerhoff, a retired merchant seaman and a bouncer for nightclubs on The Block who was active in political campaigns, died of complications from diabetes Wednesday at his Arbutus home. He was 68.

He made several trips around the world on freighters and also worked at the Jewel Box and other establishments on The Block.

Born in Baltimore and raised on McHenry Street in Pigtown, he attended city public schools.

Mr. Sauerhoff was a member of the Stonewall Democratic Club. He ran unsuccessfully for the state Democratic central committee and also worked in Morgan Amaimo's unsuccessful campaign for governor.

"As a poll worker he was known to get the votes out," said his nephew, Guy Edward Puig of Violetville. "He passed out sandwiches and cold drinks."

Mr. Sauerhoff was married four times. He wed the former Gloria Romero, Joan Smith, Linda Miller and Patricia Dennis. The marriages ended in divorce.

Services will be held at noon tomorrow at the Ambrose Funeral Home, 1328 Sulphur Spring Road, Arbutus.

He is survived by two sons, Peter Sauerhoff of Culebra, Puerto Rico, and Matthew Sauerhoff of Arbutus; four brothers, Elmer B. Sauerhoff of Catonsville, Robert F. Sauerhoff of Orlando, Fla., and George "Hunky" Sauerhoff and Ronald Sauerhoff, both of Baltimore; three sisters, Ruth Booth of Bel Air, Blanche Bracone and Dolores Bohager, both of Lansdowne, and Betty Puig of Arbutus; and a grandson.