Norman Edward Winkler, Jr.

Norman Winkler, Jr. of Columbia passed away peacefully from congestive heart failure on March 26, 2026 at Gilchrist Hospice, Howard County. He left behind a loving son, Jack-Patrick Winkler, a step-son Nolan Warthen, and three sisters and brothers-in-law, Nancy Winkler (Jay Bryan) of Narberth PA, Ann Majewski (Steve) of Charlottesville VA, and Eveline Tapp (Robert) of San Francisco, as well as many other family members and close friends. His marriage to Mary Beth Ryan ended in divorce.

A premature “miracle baby” Norman was one of the smallest babies to survive at the time he was born at Johns Hopkins in 1960. His parents had worried that as a premie he might struggle, but from early boyhood, Norm proved athletically gifted and full of energy and enthusiasm in everything he undertook. He played soccer for years, but golf was his game and passion, playing on the state championship Wilde Lake High School Golf Team as a freshman. Norm loved Wilde Lake and spent many happy hours fishing there as a child; it was one of his favorite places to visit as his health declined.

He put himself through Howard Community College and the University of Maryland Baltimore County by working several restaurant and bartending jobs. At 27 he redirected his life, joining AA where he remained a devoted member for decades, earning his 37th coin recently. At the same time, he began a career in industrial sales. A people person, Norm held a series of sales and national sales manager positions, building a large national network of customers and colleagues in chemical containment and packaging solutions. Enthusiastic and hardworking, Norm counted many of his colleagues and customers as friends.

Parenting his son Jack-Patrick was his mission and meaning in life. They were big pals, spending great amounts of time together. Norman coached Jack’s soccer team and got Jack out on the golf course early. Norman was very proud of Jack and enjoyed watching as Jack grew and matured during the past three to four years. As Norm’s health deteriorated, he especially loved to watch Jack on the golf course and they enjoyed talking together, following politics, getting meals, and watching sports together.

Norm loved people, loved to have fun, and he loved to talk. In addition to his love of sports, he was a keen political observer. He was a fierce critic of Donald Trump, citing facts and figures better than many of the TV talking heads. He was a passionate believer in democracy, Medicare for All and social justice; never hesitating to address inequities when he was confronted with them.

After his health forced a move to an apartment, he made new friends in his building, joining them for game night and watching sports. Amputation limited his walking so he took up driving a motorized scooter and treated it a bit like a toy. He was known as “Speedy” by residents in his building for the way he zipped around the common areas. His sisters were reminded of his teen years before he had a driver’s license when he rode a riding mower like a car around Columbia.

Norm faced tremendous pain and indignities as he battled heart and vascular disease. He was deeply grateful for the medical care he received during a final 6-week stint at Johns Hopkins and spent time gaining comfort talking with family, friends, clergy and staff. Remaining hopeful, he kept his wits and his wit through the pain, becoming increasingly grateful and thankful for his family and friends as his days grew numbered. When contemplating a potential additional amputation, he would joke about the “chop-chop” plans. As he knew his days were limited, he called many of his friends and family members reminiscing and telling them how much he appreciated them and loved them. If you tried to call him in those last weeks, and didn’t get through, it was either because he was sleeping or he was talking to someone else.

Norm’s family is deeply grateful for the medical care he received from the cardiac care doctors and team at Johns Hopkins, his primary care physician Dr. Mateen Awan, his wound care doctor and her team, Dr. Olga Gonzalez, Gilcrist Hospice and for his many friends at Parkview at Columbia.

A memorial service will be held 11 am, Friday May 29 at the Wilde Lake Interfaith Center, Columbia Md, at 11:00 am followed by a light lunch. For those unable to participate, the service will be live-streamed. Donations in Norm's memory can be made to a charity of your choice, or NAMI.