Norman H. Weissert Jr.

Norman H. Weissert Jr., of Columbia, formerly of Pittsburgh, died June 3, 2008, of complications from non-Hodgkin's Lymphoma, at the Ellicott City Health and Rehabilitation Center. He was 78.

Born July 29, 1929, in Pittsburgh, to Norman H. Sr. and Myring P. Weissert, he graduated from Shaler High School in Glenshaw, Pa., in 1947.

In 1951, he graduated from Grove City College in Grove City, Pa., with a Bachelor of Science in chemistry and biology.

Following graduation, Mr. Weissert began working as a chemist for Gulf Research and Development, in Pittsburgh for nine years; Quaker State Oil and Refining Co., in Emlenton, Pa., for three years; and W.R. Grace, in Columbia, prior to being transferred to another division in Curtis Bay. He retired from W.R. Grace in the early 1980s after 27 years of service.

Mr. Weissert then worked first as a part-time employee, later as a full-time employee in the paint department at Hechinger's, in Columbia, for 10 years in the 1990s.

Family members recall that his passions included his religious faith, his family and the Boy Scouts of America, for which he served as camping chairman with Troop 371. Later, he served as the Scout Master of Troops 361 and 794, and was recently the committee chair of Sea Scout Ship 361. All of the troops that he was a part of are based in Howard County.

He was in charge of several camporees and Klondike Derbies, also in Howard County, prior to becoming involved in Woodbadge, the Boy Scout's adult leader training. Family members also recalled, that Mr. Weissert was selected in 1983 to be the Woodbadge course director, thus becoming a "four-beader" Scout. He served as a district commissioner and assistant district commissioner.

For his service with the Boy Scouts, he received the Silver Beaver award in 1981; the James West Fellow award in 2006; the Life, Family and Church religious award; and was inducted into the National Pike District's Scouter Hall of Fame this year.

In addition, he was elected to the Order of the Arrow, an honor group within Boy Scouts, and received the Virgil honor in 2007. Mr. Weissert was also active with the Eagle Board of Reviews, and worked with more then 60 boys in Howard County to help them earn the rank of Eagle Scout.

Mr. Weissert served as an elder at the First Presbyterian Church of Howard County; Knox Presbyterian Church, in Knox, Pa.; and Christ Memorial Presbyterian, in Columbia, where he was a member for 38 years. He was a 32nd degree Mason and a member of the Shriner's Syria Temple, in Pittsburgh. In addition, he was a member of the Howard County Triad, and Seniors and Law Enforcement Together.

In addition to his wife of 53 years, he is survived by a son and a daughter-in-law, David and Connie Weissert, of Darlington; two daughters and a son-in-law, Debbie and Ron Cotterman, of Greenville, S.C., and Beth Weissert, of Columbia; a brother and a sister-in-law, Robert and Marlene Weissert, of Cabot, Pa.; and four grandchildren, Jennie Weissert, Turner Cotterman, Nate Cotterman and Will Cotterman.

Funeral services were held June 9, 2008, at the First Presbyterian Church of Howard County, in Columbia. The Rev. Morton Harris officiated.

Interment followed at Crest Lawn Memorial Gardens, in Marriottsville.

Memorial donations may be made to the Boy Scouts of America, Baltimore Area Council, Norman Weissert Memorial Fund, 701 Wyman Park Drive, Baltimore, MD 21211.

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