Dr. Stirzaker

Norbert Arthur Stirzaker "Doc", 84, of Spartanburg, passed away on Wednesday, January 30, 2013, in Spartanburg, SC. Born July 20, 1928, in Lorain, OH; he was the son of the late Herbert Aiden and Sara Smith Stirzaker. He is survived by his wife of 60 years, Mildred Parsons Stirzaker; daughter, Dr. Kim Stirzaker and Robert McCormick of Tampa, FL, son, Dr. Thomas and Rebecca Stirzaker of Harlingen, TX, daughter, Ellen Stirzaker Cohen of Spartanburg, SC, and daughter, Amy Stirzaker and Donald Sanchez Jr. of Apopka, FL; four grandchildren, Colin, Jacqueline, Javier and Maria; his special caregivers, Penny Franklin and Betty Lou Johnson; and beloved pet, Pixie. Dr. Stirzaker received his Baccalaureate in Music Education at Murray State University, Murray, Kentucky; his Masters of Music in Performance at Indiana University in Bloomington, Indiana; a Masters of Education and Doctorate of Education, both at the University of Mississippi, Oxford, Mississippi. Norbert was also an Honorary Kentucky Colonel. Norbert served his country as a Sergeant in the U. S. Army (1952-1954). He was band director and music supervisor in Brownsville, Tennessee (1954-1956). At Rio Grande College in Rio Grande, Ohio, he was head of the Department of Social Studies (1958-1959). He was Assistant Supervisor of Course Programs at the University of Michigan (1959-1961); and was Director of Extended Services at Indiana State University (1961-1967); and the Chief Administrative Officer for the establishment of the University of Southern Indiana in Evansville, Indiana. As the first director for the University of South Carolina Upstate, he was responsible for its establishment in 1967. He later became professor of Educational Administration for the University of South Carolina, from 1973 until his retirement in 1993. Upon retirement, he became professor emeritus of the University of South Carolina. Doc was a driving force in the life of his many students and colleagues, and an inspiration to all who knew him. Visitation will be 6:00-8:00 PM Friday, February 1, 2013, at Floyd's Greenlawn Chapel. A Mass of Christian Burial will be conducted at 11:00 AM Saturday, February 2, 2013, at St. Paul the Apostle Catholic Church, by the Rev. Timothy M. Gahan. A private committal service will be held in Greenlawn Memorial Gardens. In lieu of flowers, the family appreciates memorials be made to St. Paul the Apostle Catholic Church Building Fund, 161 North Dean Street, Spartanburg, SC 29302; or the Norbert A. Stirzaker Scholarship Fund at the University of South Carolina Upstate, 800 University Way, Spartanburg, SC 29303. Floyd's North Church Street Chapel To send flowers or a memorial gift to the family of Dr. Norbert A. Stirzaker please visit our Sympathy Store.