Dr. Steven Norwitz

Dr. Steven Norwitz

Wilmington, DE - Husband of Patti Norwitz. Father of Lisa (David) Stamm, Nicole Norwitz (Rodger Zawondiak) and Susanne Norwitz (Paul Enck). Step-father of Bill (Jodi) King, Ben (Emily) King, Elizabeth (Jason) Pauling and Grace (Jake) German. Brother of Naomi (Dr. Robert) Hilbronner. Also survived by 3 grandchildren and 7 step-grandchildren. Dr. Norwitz lived and practiced in Monmouth County, NJ and retired to Wilmington, DE. The following is an excerpt from his eulogy authored by his children: It is difficult to succinctly describe a life - anyone's life - but in the case of our father it is a particular challenge. Dr. Steven Barry Norwitz passed away on December 23rd. He was larger than life, a mischievous sense of humor, wildly smart, meticulous and exacting, a complex perfectionist. He achieved enough for anyone's lifetime. He was one of the greatest plastic surgeons in the Northeast before plastic surgery was En Vogue. He was always at the vanguard - and unafraid to step out and be different. He taught us that. It is a sin to go with the herd so as not to make waves. Make Tsunami -like waves if that is what your heart is telling you to do. He challenged the status quo and had the courage to fight when necessary. These are some of the many lessons he taught by example. Many of those who knew him were familiar with his skills as a surgeon and how exceptional he was at what he did. And he was exceptional because he loved what he did so much. But what meant the most to his family were the quiet moments. The seemingly insignificant moments that you don't realize at the time what they will mean later. One time we were stopped on the street by a big burly man. He grabbed our father's arm. We were scared because it was such a forceful exchange. He looked our father square in the eyes and this hulk of a man was reduced to tears. He explained how father repaired his baby's cleft lip and palate and she is now a beautiful teenager. He would not have had the money to do it. Our father did that surgery for free. He was blessed with a rewarding career - and he did not squander those gifts. He led an effort of a surgical team called Rio Vista Equipo Medico in the Northwest Corner of Guatemala in a town called Nuevo Progreso. He recounted how families would travel barefoot through the jungles to visit the team. He performed hundreds of Cleft Lip and Palate surgeries during those routine visits to Guatemala. And he changed thousands of lives in the process. He loved his friends of 40 plus years dearly. His loyalty knew no bounds. And I don't think I ever saw him happier than when his family was together. He'd get a glint in his eye and a pep in his step. And oh how he loved his grandchildren. He may not have always verbalized how much he loved us all (he was much more about action than overwrought sentiment). But we all knew how deeply he loved us, we knew he would do anything for us. It is inconceivable to think of life without his bedrock presence. Dad, We love you. Forever and always. Funeral services were private. Contributions in his memory may be made to Hospital de la Familia Foundation, https://www.guidestar.org/profile/94-2452906