Sun Feb 12 2012
Norris Gentholts, 91, died Aug. 18, 2010, following a brief struggle with cancer.
Mr. Gentholts was the business manager for Western Reserve Academy for 10 years, managing the day-to-day aspects of the school.
He was born Aug. 9, 1919, in Shaker Heights, to Ora and Arthur Gentholts. He met his future wife, Elizabeth "Becky" Bechtol, while they were both in high school. He attended Amherst College in New York, as his future wife attended Wells College a few miles away. He earned a degree in geology and shortly worked as a geologist before joining the Navy in 1942.
He soon attained the rank of lieutenant JG, and was stationed for a while in the Chesapeake Bay region working to develop more efficient mine sweeping operations. He married Becky in June 1942. They were married for 68 years until her death. He served a short stint in the Pacific theater of World War II before returning stateside where he performed escort duties for new recruits to there new stations.
Following World War II, Mr. Gentholts worked with the Glidden paint company and moved to the Cleveland area. He advanced into industrial sales and remained an industrial rep for Glidden, working with the growing steel industry in the northeast corner of Ohio.
Mr. Gentholts was involved in many community or church activities. His woodworking/wood-finishing skills became well known and his wood creations for the St. James church bazaar were often the largest moneymaker for funding church activities. He helped to found a community swimming pool and a golf course in Poland, Ohio, donated time to officiate regional swim meets, and served on numerous committees.
Norris began his second career in Hudson as business manager for WRA for 10 years before retiring to Homosassa, Fla., where he and his wife lived for 23 years. They eventually moved to Bozeman, Mont., to be closer to family.
He was preceded in death by his daughter, Barbara; granddaughter, Emily; and wife, Becky. He is survived by his daughter, Libby Gentholts-Purdy, and her husband Tom Purdy; son, David Gentholts, and his wife Jane; and grandchildren, Winifred Gentholts, Grant Purdy and Mackenzie Purdy.
A memorial service will be at 2 p.m. Aug. 28 at Dahl Funeral Chapel in Bozeman, Mont.
Memorial donations may be made c/o of Donor Relations to the Emil Gentholts Scholarship Fund at Gustavus Adolphus College, 800 W. College Ave., St. Peter, MN, 56082-1498, or the Alzheimer's Association, 225 N. Michigan Ave., Ste. 1700, Chicago, IL 60601-7633. Condolences and memories may be shared with the family at www.dahlcares.com.
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