Norman A. Draeger

NORMAN A. DRAEGER, JR. Ph.D
OREGON - Norman (Norm) A. Draeger left this life on November 20, 2015 to move onto the next life. The son of Norman A. Sr. and Elizabeth A. (nee Beauchamp) Draeger, he was born on August 10, 1955 in Milwaukee, and spent his childhood growing up in St. Francis. He was united in marriage to Lisa C. Margulski on September 11, 1992. Although they had no children, they shared their hearts with two cherished adopted pets, Benny (rough coated collie), and Buddy (domestic short haired cat).

Norm completed his Ph.D in physical chemistry at UW-Milwaukee, with specialization in surface science and field emission research. He considered the earning of his doctorate to be the fulfillment of many years dedicated to academic study, and was proud to be one of two cousins in his family to reach this level of accomplishment. Norm was a member of Phi Beta Kappa and Phi Eta Sigma academic honor societies. He served on the ground console for U.S. Space Shuttle Mission STS-73 and STS-95, the latter of which flew the Space Rose Experiment. He won 5 awards through the Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Program, the most recent of which led to a U.S. Patent. His career was spent at small high-technology businesses in Southern Wisconsin, at UW-Madison, and Marquette University. Norm enjoyed rose gardening, home remodeling, and major league baseball, with a long standing affinity for the New York Yankees.

Norm is survived by his beloved wife and devoted caregiver, Lisa, by his older brother Darryl (Mary Beth) of West Allis, his mother-in-law, Lorrayne Margulski, also of West Allis, and cousins and friends. He was preceded in death by his parents and by his father-in-law, Kazimierz (Casey) Margulski. During the later years of his life Norm courageously fought a battle with Multiple Sclerosis. Never one to give up, Norm accepted the progressive course of MS with dignity, without questioning why he became afflicted with this disease. Norm will be remembered for his inner strength, which Lisa acknowledged in referring to Norm as her "brave soldier".

A visitation will be held on Wednesday, November 25, 2015 from 10:00 - 11:00 am at Holy Mother of Consolation Catholic Church, 651 N. Main St., Oregon, WI with a Mass of Christian Burial, officiated by Fr. Gary Wankerl at 11:00 am. A luncheon will follow the service in the church hall. To honor Norm's wishes for cremation, a graveside service will be held at a future time at Prairie Mound Cemetery in Oregon, WI.

We wish to extend special appreciation to Dr. Christopher Luzzio and all the staff at 20 S. Park Neurology for their years of kind and compassionate care to Norm. We also gratefully acknowledge the care of Dr. Troy Doetch, Meriter Home Health, and the Agrace Hospice Green Team.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the family, who will forward them to Dr. Luzzio's university supported program, UW-CREATe, for the development of assistive devices to improve the quality of life for those with MS and other disabilities.