Norman Adelbert Heineman

Norman “Norm” Adelbert Heineman, an independent thinker, well-informed spirit, thoughtful advocate
for social change, proud father and grandfather, and master procrastinator, died on Wednesday, the 21 st
of December (notably, a palindrome 12-21 and winter solstice) at the age of 74 with family at his side
after a short battle with cancer.

Norm was born on the 5 th of October 1948 in Port Clinton, Ohio, the son of Harry Heineman and
Adelaide (McGinnis) Heineman and the oldest of ten children. He graduated from Port Clinton High
School in 1966, where he was a champion high jumper and learned to be resourceful and clever at an
early age. He attended John Carroll University before being drafted into the Army in January 1971. Norm
served in the Army for two years, primarily stationed in Vicenza, Italy as a Chaplain’s Assistant, and
earned a National Defense Service medal and the final rank of PFC before he was honorably discharged.
While in Italy, he met life-long friends and travelled extensively.

Norm received his undergraduate degree from Bowling Green State University in 1976, where he
balanced his strong academic performance with a penchant for social festivities and challenging
instructors as sport. He enrolled at the University of Toledo College of Law, earning his Doctor of
Jurisprudence. After passing the Ohio Bar exam, he worked as an Assistant Prosecutor at the Wood
County Prosecutor’s Office, strengthening his loyalty to civic involvement. In the early 1980’s, he took
over as owner and president of Bowling Green Beverage, Inc., distributing beer and wine across the
state of Ohio for several decades and earning his reputation as the wine guy.

His greatest accomplishment, his legacy, is his family. He held his children in great esteem and counted
them as genuine friends. When not spending time with his family or distributing wine, Norm enjoyed
attending social functions, teaching others about wine, eating meals prepared by others, watching
sports, engaging in friendly debates, listening to NPR radio and Bob Dylan songs, and landscaping at his
home in Bowling Green, Ohio. Norm was a long-time fixture in the Bowling Green community, where his
warmth and compassion led to friendly encounters seemingly at every other step. He was a member of
the Exchange Club, contributed to many intellectual discussions with the Town & Gown local social club
and had been an active member of the Elks Club. He was also a long-time donor to various charities and
political organizations.

Norm had many icons who had an impact on American society and were a source of inspiration,
including: Ken Burns, Tom Hanks, Bob Dylan, LeBron James, Ken Harger, Louie Heineman, Serena
Williams, Muhammed Ali, Barack Obama, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Tiger Woods, Garrison Keillor, Mark
Twain, David Letterman, Abe Lincoln, Jim Brown, Lily Tomlin, Tom Brandy, Bob Feller, Orel Hershiser,
Sandy Koufax, Bob Gibson, Paul Warfield, and Yogi Berra.

Norm is survived by his daughters Libby (Jason) Dulaney of Bowling Green, Ohio and Renata (Brent)
Spencer of Raleigh, North Carolina, and his grandchildren Brenden, Lorelei, Varenna, Isabelle and
Sienna. He is also survived by his first wife Deb Johnson, second wife Kathy Szabo, stepchildren Ed (Kim)
Szabo, Maggie (J.J.) Edwards, Katie (Marissa) Fine, sisters: Zauzi Travis (Jim Brown), Monica, Tuci (Dale)
Farmer, Ida (John) Larsen, brothers: Phil (Carol), Steve, Otto (Chris), Tom (Luciana), godmother and aunt
Annie Parker and a number of cousins, nieces, nephews, grandnieces and grandnephews, as well as
countless friends, near and far. Norm was preceded in death by his parents, Harry Heineman and

Adelaide (McGinnis) Heineman, godfather and uncle Louie Heineman and brother Bernie (Mary Lou
Traxler) Heineman.

Because of his desire to be late to his funeral, a celebration of life will be held in the Spring, planned for
Earth Day on the 22 nd day of April 2023 from 2-5pm at the Veteran’s Memorial Building located at 2294
Legion Drive, Bowling Green, Ohio.

In lieu of flowers, donations in his name can be made to WBGU-TV, American Civil Liberties Union
(ACLU) or any charity of the donor’s choice. The family would also like to thank the Hospice Center of
Northwest Ohio for taking great care of him in his final days.