Norman William Hertel passed away peacefully on October 4th at 93 years old. He was the devoted husband of Paula Hertel, of blessed memory, for nearly 58 years; beloved father of Elana Jean Hertel; son of the late Emma Hertel and the late William Hertel, son-in-law of the late Harry Nebolsky and the late Leah (Koolman) Nebolsky; brother of Edna Accardi, brother-in-law of the late Bernard Accardi and Rita Ann Paradis, dog dad to Birdie Girl the Beagle; and a cherished uncle, cousin, teacher, and dear friend to many.
Norman grew up in Glendale, Queens, New York. After losing his father at a young age, he was raised by his mother Emma, surrounded by a close-knit extended family. Norman was a Boy Scout and a football player, and as a teenager, worked as a page at NBC. He fondly remembered playing stickball, singing on stoops, and taking trips into Manhattan for a show and a meal at the Automat with his mother.
In 1951, at the age of eighteen, Norman enlisted in the U.S. Air Force and, during the Korean War, was stationed in England as a Clerk on the 3rd AF at RAF Base South Ruislip near London. During his time in the service, Norman traveled extensively in Europe, sparking a lifelong love of travel and European history. He was honored with a National Defense Service Medal and a Good Conduct Medal.
When Norman returned from overseas, he joined his mother and sister Edna, who had moved to St. Louis when Edna started her family.
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He became an officer in the Kirkwood Police Department where he proudly served from 1956-1962. In 1957, Norman became Kirkwood’s first juvenile officer, one of only three in the St. Louis area. Well ahead of his time, he developed a program to prevent juvenile crime by cultivating relationships with teens, speaking in elementary school classrooms, and helping parents navigate their children’s challenges. During this time, Norman became ensconced in the Kirkwood community. He bought a home on Grandview Drive, was named Man of the Year, and served as chairman of an early Greentree Festival. Inspired by his work with youth, Norman earned his B.A. from Washington University in 1960, beginning an accomplished career in education as a teacher, and then a principal in the Kirkwood School District.
In the summer of 1966, as Norman pursued a Masters in Education at Indiana University, he met Paula on a Friday, dated her over the weekend, and proposed the following Monday. It was love at first sight. After marrying in St. Louis at Temple Israel in 1967, Paula joined Norman in Missouri.
Norman continued his career in education, leading the “Teacher Trainer of Teachers” program at Washington University, founding Hertel and Associates with Paula, consulting with families to test for and remediate learning disabilities, and teaching in Webster Groves and later St. Louis Public Schools. Together, Norman and Paula published two books on “special learners” for teachers and parents.
For many years, he was “Uncle Norman” to his nieces, nephews, and close friends’ kids– a larger than life presence with his broad smile and signature “silly” handshake. He was, memorably, always willing to wrestle with the rowdy boys.
When Norman was 50 years old, he and Paula welcomed their daughter, Elana Jean. She was the light of Norman’s life.
Norman was a devoted husband. He loved and respected Paula and championed her in all of her professional endeavors and many hobbies. They created a whole world together, turning friends into family, sharing many interests, and establishing themselves as pillars of the St. Louis community. They were avid supporters and lovers of the arts, frequently attending performances of the St. Louis Symphony, Opera Theatre, and ushering at The Fox Theatre.
Norman was a long time and involved member at Congregation Shaare Emeth, teaching Religious School for many years, and volunteering in a wide variety of capacities, including the caring committee, usher corps, Purim carnival planning, the Religious School board, and leading interfaith Passover seders at churches throughout the city.
Norman was a wise and worldly presence in the lives of his loved ones. Throughout his long life, he sought depth and breadth of knowledge, built and served his community with generosity, and above all, was a source of unending support and love to his family.
The funeral will take place Friday, October 10th at Mt Sinai Cemetery, followed by a 3:30-7:00 pm Shiva at the Hertel’s Home, 454 Elm Crossing Ct., Ballwin MO. The family is grateful to everyone who has expressed love and lent support during this time.
In lieu of flowers, contributions can be made in Norman’s memory to the Ashrei Foundation: https://www.ashreifoundation.org, the Faye H. & Robert J. Siegel SETYG Program Fund at Congregation Shaare Emeth https://congregationshaareemeth.shulcloud.com/payment.php, or the St. Louis Symphony: https://slso.org/donate/
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