Norbert H. Gaworek

Norbert H. Gaworek, Professor Emeritus at UW-Green Bay, died peacefully, surrounded by family, on August 16, 2024.

Norbert was born December 10, 1936, in Brieg, Germany, now known as Brzeg, Poland, on the eve of World War II. Norbert spent much childhood time with his beloved maternal grandfather, Albert Linde, who taught him how to garden, construct a bomb shelter, think critically, and carefully circumvent Nazi propaganda and access the forbidden BBC News.

In 1945, when bombing raids caused the flight of thousands of civilians, Norbert, his maternal grandparents, mother, sister and brother fled to then-Czechoslovakia where they were captured and imprisoned in work camps. Norbert worked in a coal mine for some time and ran foot races to earn food for his family. Tragically, his beloved sister, Ingrid, age 8, died of malnutrition on Norbert’s 10th birthday. His maternal grandparents died also around this time.

In 1947, Norbert, his mother and his brother were expelled to Sonnenberg, East Germany, where they stayed until the Red Cross facilitated the discovery that his father was still alive - in Weissenburg, West Germany. The family narrowly escaped over the border and reunited with his father in 1948.

Despite large gaps in his primary education, Norbert entered fourth grade in Weissenberg, West Germany in 1948. At the end of that school year, he took and passed the entrance examination to Weissenburg’s Gymnasium and Realschule, which he entered the subsequent school year.

Later, his uncle, Wilhelm Steinberg, invited him to the family farm in Rice Lake, WI. On November 25, 1953, at the age of 16, Norbert boarded the S.S. United States in Bremerhaven for a new life in America, where he enrolled in high school, graduating in 1955. Afterward, he worked as a civil servant at the Department of Health and Hygiene, until he was recruited to become Northland College’s first international student in 1956. Norbert received his Bachelor of Arts degree in history from UW-Madison in 1959. Then, while not yet a U.S. citizen, Norbert served in the U.S. Army, in various capacities, during the Cold War, from 1959 to 1962.

After his honorable discharge from the Army, Norbert returned to UW-Madison and received his Master of Arts degree in 1964 and his Ph.D. in 1970. During this time, he was a Teaching and Research Assistant at UW-Madison and, beginning in Fall 1968, taught history at the Fox Valley and Manitowoc campuses of UW-Green Bay. 

In 1971, Norbert joined the history department at UW-Green Bay and taught European history. During his years of service at UW-Green Bay, he served as chairman of the history department for nearly 20 years, directed the production of national “Great Decisions” programs on international affairs for public television, and was the founding editor of Voyageur: Northeast Wisconsin’s Historical Review, which won several awards and is now in its 40th year of publication. Norbert published articles, encyclopedia entries, and book reviews in regional, national, and international publications on military history, economic warfare, and international relations. In addition to his native German, he spoke English, French, Italian and Russian. Norbert led student groups to Russia and Ukraine; in Fall 1993 he was an exchange professor at Kharkiv State University, Kharkiv, Ukraine.

Norbert was a devoted husband, dedicated father and grandfather, and faithful friend. He loved to sail, grow tomatoes, play racquetball, and engage in the art of fine conversation. He had an extraordinary work ethic, a quick wit, an interesting sense of humor, and a keen intellect. He was deeply committed to community involvement; he believed that all of us must return whatever we can because we have received much ourselves.

Those left to cherish Norbert’s memory and exceptional life include his devoted wife, Leah; his sons David “Darik” Gaworek of Sturgeon Bay, WI, Michael (Sue) Gaworek of New Denmark, WI, and Hanno Gaworek of Green Bay, WI; granddaughters Greta Gaworek, Milena Gaworek and Michaela Gaworek, all of New Denmark, WI; niece Anke Gaworek Woelfel of Nuremburg, Germany; and Leah’s siblings and their families, who loved him dearly.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Erich and Ellinore (Linde) Gaworek; his sister Ingrid Gaworek; his brother Friedhelm Gaworek; his maternal grandparents Albert and Anna (Wrana) Linde; his paternal grandparents Georg and Anna (Wegehaupt) Steinberg Gaworek; and many aunts and uncles, including Wilhelm and Bertha Steinberg, and their children Karl and Meta.

Friends may visit on August 31, 2024, from 9:00 am to 11:00 am, and join the family for a Memorial Service at 11:00 am, at the First United Methodist Church, 501 Howe Street, with Reverends Stephen Polster and David Kalas officiating.

Norbert’s family wishes to express deep gratitude to their church family for extraordinary care and support.