14 The Mainline News, Events, Reminders in 1958. They raised their children, Greg, John, and Sara, living in their Mt. Angel home for 66 years of marriage. Norb was a charitable, fair, honest, and true gentleman. A devout Catholic, he remained a lifelong member of St. Mary Parish, and board of trustees for Mt. Angel Abbey Foundation. A natural athlete, Norb for years continued his love of sports and dancing, and was a proud grandfather of eight. Our thoughts and prayers are with Katherine, Greg, Mary, and the family. Norb’s legacy endures in the forests he shaped and the loggers he mentored. In lieu of flowers, please consider donations to Mt. Angel Abbey at www. stbenedict.org/ or St. Mary Parish Mt. Angel at: stmarymtangel.org/. Post a message to the Schmitz Family, at https:// www.ungerfuneralchapel.com/obituary/ norbert-schmitz. t board of directors, an officer, and OPL committee chair. As an industry leader, Norb received accolades for outstanding forest stewardship and safe logging. Even into his 80s, Norbert continued to work at Schmitz Timber, leaving a lasting impact among family, workers, customers, partners, and all who visited the operation. Renowned for his mastery in building forest roads and unparalleled skill operating D7 dozers, Norbert worked and witnessed the logging industry’s evolution from horse teams and hand saws to yarders and drones. Raised in a family of 11 on a farm north of Mt. Angel, young Norb was a willing helper with farm chores and the family firewood business, while attending prep school at Mt. Angel Abbey. He served Oregon’s Army National Guard for seven years, and married Katherine Nonneman Norbert Schmitz November 2, 1935–July 15, 2024 Norb Schmitz, founder of Schmitz Logging in 1960 at age 25, passed away in July. Norb and wife Kathy were business partners, who together grew a fine family and built a contract logging business. They ran the company for over 30 years until their son Greg established Schmitz Timber Management—which is still in operation. Norbert was an early Associated Oregon Loggers member and served as chapter chair for several terms. In 2008, Norb, Katherine, and son Greg were together honored as AOL Logger of the Year. Norbert was also on the Oregon Logging Conference board of directors. Norb was proud that his son carried the Schmitz torch by keeping the association strong, with Greg serving as AOL President 2019–2020, as well as on the AOL Remembering a Quiet Leader ›By Rex Storm, Executive Vice President
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