Harold Russell Norris

Harold R. Norris (94), born April 1, 1928, passed away the morning of February 24, 2023 at the Ganzhorn Suites Memory Care in Powell, Ohio. His last few years were difficult as dementia robbed him of his memories. Despite his problems, he remained cheerful and enjoyed the attention he received from family and Ganzhorn staff. He passed peacefully in his sleep.

Hal grew up on a farm in central Pennsylvania, one of seven children of Blaine and Marjorie Norris (Rowles), His college education was postponed by a two year enlistment into the Army. He did not see any action in WWII, but was part of the occupying force in Japan after hostilities had stopped. He attended Penn State University where he met his future wife Joyce Rife. He graduated from Penn State with a degree in Chemical Engineering. Most of Hal’s working career was spent as a Chemical Salesman; He was a longtime employee of American Cyanamid followed by a shorter time at Sandoz Chemicals.

Hal married Joy in 1952 and had five boys. Three of his children survive him, Jim (Lola), Blaine (Margaret) and Bill (Carrie). Sadly two passed, Andrew in 1989 and Todd in 2010. He was proud of his children and supported them in whatever they did.

When Hal and Joy became empty nesters, they traveled around the country. They combined their enjoyment of travel with competitive bridge playing and played in bridge tournaments all over the country. Both Hal and Joy were Life Master Bridge players.

Hal volunteered to help at the Sycamore High School Wrestling Tournament, which eventually led to him volunteering at Wrestling Tournaments all across Cincinnati and the state of Ohio. I can recall wrestling coaches meeting at his kitchen table, having seeding meetings prior to some wrestling tournaments. Hal loved doing this and loved the people he worked with.

Hal was a big Penn State Wrestling fan, He loved going to see them wrestle. He even joined the OSU Wrestling Club, just to be sure to get tickets when Penn State wrestled at OSU. He would attend the Big Ten Wrestling Championships and the NCAA Wrestling Championships.

Hal lost his wife, Joy, in 2011. He eventually moved to Dublin, Ohio to be closer to family. As Hal aged, he moved from his Dublin apartment to independent living at a retirement community, Friendship Village. Within Friendship Village, Hal eventually moved to an assisted living room. As his memory problems became more severe, he moved to a memory care facility, Ganzhorn Suites Memory Care. He was well taken care of throughout his journey. He always seemed happy and fairly content. Hal is also survived by twelve grandchildren, Liz, Sarah, Megan, Tinskua, Tekuani, Tsapki, Eraani, Quanah, Ashuni, Ryan, Sarah Anne, and Amy, and twelve great grandchildren Tsiriki, Jiuatsi, Addison, Blakley, Everly, Christopher, Michael, Leonardo, Luana, Isabella, Nora, Rory, Kirsten. There will be a Memorial Service Saturday. April 22 at 1 PM followed by a visitation from 2 p.m. until 4 PM at the Schoedinger Funeral Service of Dublin, 5980 Perimeter Dr. Dublin, Ohio 43017.