Norman David Bautsch was born March 1, 1940, in Reading, PA, to Norman and Mary Bautsch. He passed away from extended surgery complications on April 6, 2016 in Edmond, OK. Growing up, he was a standout athlete in both baseball and basketball,being drafted to play professional baseball out of high school. Norm passed up the draft to play college basketball, along with earning a degree in Economics from Albright College. After college, he attended Officer Training School and was commissioned as a 2nd Lieutenant in the US Air Force. During his successful 22-year career, he served as a maintenance and logistics officer across the globe. Norm earned many awards, including a Bronze Star for his service in Vietnam; he retired as a Lt Colonel in 1984. He was also an avid fisherman, who passed that love onto his children and grandchildren.
Norm was preceded in death by his parents; a brother, Robert Bautsch; and daughter, Melissa Bautsch. He is survived by his wife of 52 years, Patricia Bautsch; a brother, Ronald Bautsch; daughter, Kelli Pohlman (Doug); sons, Chris Bautsch and Blaise Bautsch; and grandchildren, Gabbi Pohlman, Nathan Pohlman, and Jordyn Murray.
A Mass of Christian burial will be held at 11 a.m., Tuesday, April 12, at St. John the Baptist Catholic Church, 9th and Littler, in Edmond, OK. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Norman Bautsch Memorial, P.O. Box 30776, Edmond, OK 73003.