In Memoriam – Dr. Norbert John Wilcox
In Memoriam – Dr. Norbert John Wilcox
Dallas Morning News | May 1, 2022
| Dr. Norbert John Wilcox, age 97, of Dallas, Texas passed away peacefully in his sleep to be with the Lord on December 22, 2021. Norb was born at home in Chicago on June 6, 1924 to Makary (Mike) and Genowefa Wilkowski. His namesake was St.Norbert because he was born on his feast day. Norb was a 17 year old senior at Kelly High School in Chicago when the Pearl Harbor attack plunged the country into WWII. Though he was the only child of Polish immigrants, he immediately acted on his patriotic duty to enlist to be a Navy pilot. To his amusement his distraught mother’s advice was to “fly low and fly slow.” After Naval air training he was assigned to VPB-44 “Black Cats” squadron at Green Island, in the Solomon Islands, flying the amphibious Catalina PBY aircraft performing anti-submarine and night patrols in conjunction with PT boats and open sea rescues. He was one of the youngest Navy pilots in the war and obtained the rank of Lieutenant. Norb met Terree, the love of his life, through a remarkable number of Godly life twists upon return from the Navy to Chicago. They were married in 1950. Norb finished Podiatry training while Terree taught in the Chicago School District. A Chicago snowstorm which buried their car confirmed their decision to move to Texas and start a successful practice and family in 1952. Over the next half century Norbert came to be regarded as the “Dean of Podiatry in North Texas” and helped many aspiring podiatrists launch their careers. He was respected by his peers statewide and was elected President of the Texas Podiatric Medical Association. Like Will Rogers, he never met a stranger. He always had a riddle, a joke, or a story to share. He could engage anyone he met in warm conversation even through his 90’s. He also lived his strong Catholic faith and was active in the Knights of Columbus, Civitans, and many other service organizations. He supported his sons in YMCA Indian Guides, Boy Scouts of America, and their sports and academic endeavors. He loved to play golf with his weekly foursome at Tenison golf course and did so for decades. He mentored senior high school students from the DISD in his podiatry practice with several ultimately entering health care as a profession. He was universally regarded as an honest, bright, kind, gregarious, generous professional man of the highest integrity. Norb was very active raising his family which was his greatest joy to the end of his life. He brought a sense of humor to every situation and Terree and his five sons have many memories laughing around the dinner table until no one could sit straight any longer. He taught his sons the importance of love for God, family, and country as well as education and a strong work ethic. Norb was a remarkable and dedicated husband, father, and grandfather. Norb is preceded in death by his beloved wife of 52 years, Terree Ann, and his cherished grandson Christopher. He is survived by his 5 devoted sons: Dale and his wife Cindy and grandchildren Blake and Meredith; Glenn; Robert and his wife Ashley and grandchildren Melanie, Alex, and Raleigh; Bruce and granddaughter Danielle; Barry and his wife Shana and grandchildren Zoe and Amy. A funeral Mass will be celebrated at St. Rita Catholic Church, 12521 In wood Rd., Dallas, Texas on May 14, 2022 at 1:30 PM. The ashes of Norbert and Terree will be interred together at the DFW National Cemetery with military honor for his naval service on May 16, 2022 at 9:00 AM. Contributions in his honor may be made to Dallas or Collin County Meals on Wheels, a favorite charity of Norb’s mother. |
| UPCOMING SERVICE Funeral Mass May 14, 2022 | 1:30 PM St. Rita Catholic Church Send Flowers |
