Norman Robert Getzin

Norman (Norm) Getzin died peacefully at Blair Ridge Health Campus in Peru, IN on Monday January 23,3023 at the age of 95. 

Norman is survived by his children, Alan Getzin (Janna) of Midland, MI, Scott Getzin (Beth) of Amboy, IN, Eric Getzin (Paula) of Jasper, IN, David Getzin (Selma) of Weare, NH. He is preceded in death by his wife Nancy W. Getzin, brothers, John Getzin of Sun City. AZ, Robert Getzin of Green Valley, AZ, sister, Dorothy Sonnabend of South Milwaukee, WI; parents, John A. and Elizabeth Getzin of Oak Creek, WI.

Norman was born on March 2, 1927 in South Milwaukee, WI.  He went to Cudhay High School and was immediately drafted after he graduated in 1945.  He served in the Army for just under 2 years, where he was trained as a radio operator.  After he was discharged, Norman went to the Milwaukee State Teachers College (University of Wisconsin).  He graduated in 1952 and he taught in the Pontiac (MI) Public Schools for one year.  After marrying Nancy in August, 1953, they both taught in Racine for a couple of years.  Norm left teaching to pursue a degree in Electrical Engineering, rekindling his joy of radios.

Completing his non engineering requirements in Racine, Norm and the family moved to Champaign, IL to finish his degree.  After completing his bachelor degree in Electrical Engineering, Norm accepted a job with Collins Radio Company in Cedar Rapids, IA.   Norman helped define the next generation of commercial radios, circa 1960. After 10 years with Collins Radio and Norm found a position with Magnavox in Urbana, IL.  This job was creating radios for the military, improving the clarity of the sound by upgrading the components.  In 1971, Magnavox shutdown the operation in Urbana and relocated this division to Fort Wayne, IN.  Norm continued to thrive in their government contracts division until his retirement in 1992.

Norm’s passion was in baseball and softball.  He played fast pitch softball until he moved to Fort Wayne where he focused his efforts on improving the opportunities for youth.  Norm was instrumental in constructing the diamonds for the inaugural season for the Georgetown Little League on Trier Road in 1973.  He spent countless hours shaping and grooming the fields, putting up fences, back stops and mowing grass.  He also was a part of the Little League District 10 Administration. Recently the Georgetown Little League dedicated one of their diamonds as a memorial to Norman.

Norman and Nancy would spend their winters in Mesa, AZ from 2000 till 2016. Norm even played slow pitch softball in the Arizona Senior leagues well into his 80’s.  

Norm and Nancy were very involved in the Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Fort Wayne.  Norm and Nancy won a Unitarian Universalists (UU) Founders Award in 2004 and the Unsung UU award in 2007.

Norman and Nancy celebrated 65 loving years of marriage prior to Nancy’s dead in February 2019.  They had 4 sons, 10 grandchildren and 4 great grandchildren.  He was a friend to many.  He was greatly loved and will be missed.

A Celebration of Life is scheduled for Saturday March 4, 2023 at1pm at the Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Fort Wayne, 5310 Old Mill Road, Fort Wayne, Indiana 46807, with a reception to follow.  All are welcome to attend and celebrate Norman’s life. 
 

In lieu of flowers, please send donations to Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Fort Wayne Endowment Fund at address above.

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