Obituaries

Norman E. Schultz, age 87, of Perrysburg, Ohio (formerly of Buffalo, New York and Metamora, Michigan), died December 16, 2024, at his home surrounded by his loving family. He was born October 24, 1937, in North Tonawanda, New York to the late William and Stephania (Snopkowski) Schultz. Norm went on to graduate from North Tonawanda High School and served in the United States Army from 1957-1960. He earned an associate's degree in Mechanical Design from Erie Community College and a bachelor's degree in Vocational Technology from Buffalo State College.

A man who could fix anything and everything, Norm started building homes at the age of 16 and throughout his life loved working with his hands. He worked as a mechanical designer at Worthington Compressors, Strippit Inc. to start his accomplished career. Norm then joined Buffalo Chevrolet in the Manufacturing Engineering Tool Design group, supporting the plant with tooling, fixtures, machine design and gauges. He was later a designer in the Advanced Product Engineering group. Norm then moved into the Product Test lab at the AAM Technical Center where he developed fixtures and other items to support test-engineering personnel.

The intervening years saw Norm’s career take him from Buffalo to Saginaw, Michigan and then Rochester Hills, Michigan. In Saginaw, he worked on numerous projects including the development of a friction-welded driveshaft for Porsche, independent rear suspensions for the F-car, M-van, and an experimental vehicle, as well as four wheel-steer rear axle assemblies for a "K" truck extended-bed pickup.

After moving to the Technical Center, Norm worked on several innovative programs including the Jeep Cherokee front and rear axle conversions; a Dodge Ram rear axle conversion; a Chevrolet K truck with an electrically actuated torque biasing differential and axle; along with various gear differentials.

Despite the extraordinary advances in computer-aided design (CAD) and his training on auto CAD, Norm often used a drawing board for much of his design work. He holds two patents for broached ring gear and rear axle cooling designs.

In his free time, he was better known as “Stormin’ Norman”. Outgoing, friendly and always the life of the party, he could often be found with a cold Labatt’s Blue watching a Bills game or just hanging out with his beloved family. Norm also loved to travel and was an avid fisherman.

Left to cherish his memory is his wife. Christine M. (nee Kwiatkowski) Schultz; children, Sandra Sproles (Kevin), Gregory Schultz (Melissa Read), Janine Walsh (Lawrence), and Sharyl Hopkins (Brian); nine grandchildren, Malina, Karis, Cody, Logan, Tyler, Declan, Summerlin, Ryder, and Evan; sister, Alice Burosky (Bob); and numerous nieces and nephews. Norm was also preceded in death by brothers, William Jr. and Thomas Schultz.

Family and friends are invited to visitation beginning at 9:00 a.m. on Friday, December 20, 2024, in the Witzler-Shank-Walker Funeral Home, 222 East South Boundary Street, Perrysburg, Ohio 43551, concluded with a prayer service at 10:30 a.m. A procession to St. John XXIII Catholic Church, 24250 North Dixie Highway, Perrysburg, Ohio 43551 will follow with funeral Mass being celebrated at 11:00 a.m. The United States Army will provide military honors after Mass. Interment will be private. A memorial service will also be held in Buffalo, New York at a later date.

Contributions in his name are suggested to American Diabetes Association.

Condolences may be made to the family online at www.walkerfuneralhomes.com.