Robert H. Norris

Robert H. “Bob” Norris, 89, died January 31, 2024, after an extended illness.

Born on August 17, 1934, in Tiro, Ohio, to Herbert and Clara (Ulmer) Norris, he graduated from Tiro High School in 1952. He enlisted in the Army and served at Fort MacArthur where he battled California forest fires. Employed by the Crawford County Highway Department, in the Blizzard of ’78 he had to be plowed out so he could likewise plow.

On June 21, 1969, he married Diane, who shared his love of singing; though she spent months convincing the shy, kind man she was The One. He dearly loved and remained proud of their daughters Joanna and Sherri, and their numerous accomplishments.

After retirement Bob dedicated himself to his life-long hobby, taxidermy, and mounted and donated the Buckeye Central Buck displayed at the school. His artistic sense ensured his taxidermy mounts appeared lifelike, everything from deer heads to pheasants, foxes, fish, bear, and more. He excelled at sports, especially baseball, and played right field for the New Washington Merchants team which participated the 1962 National Baseball Congress in Wichita, Kansas. A clarion tenor, he sang in the Country Gentlemen Barbershop chorus, “The Reasons” Barbershop quartet, and in his church choirs. He hunted, fished, and planted hundreds of maple trees on his land, eventually boiling maple syrup from them. His faith helped sustain him in the ups and downs of life, and even in later years he enjoyed singing hymns with you. He planted large gardens and won several prizes at the Crawford County Fair for his potatoes and tomatoes. He loved ice cream and made homemade ice cream whenever possible.

He is survived by his wife, Diane (Ellis) Norris, their children Joanna (Jason) Forbes and Sherri Norris, and step-granddaughter Meghan (Forbes) Puente and her husband, Andres. Those who knew him miss his compassionate heart, sense of humor, curiosity, and love for nature.

Calling hours will be Monday, February 5, 2024, from 4:00-6:00 pm at Wise Funeral Home, 129 W Warren St., Bucyrus, and the funeral will be held 11:00 am Tuesday, February 6, at Good Hope Lutheran Church, 129 W. Charles St., Bucyrus. He will be laid to rest in Oakland Cemetery in Tiro, where military rites will be provided by the Army Honor Guard and the Bucyrus Veterans Military Funeral Detail. Memorials may be given to Good Hope Lutheran Church, or Friends of the Crawford Park District and expressions of sympathy are encouraged to be shared on his guestbook.