Norman Bresel, 83, of Overland Park, Kansas, passed away on April 20, 2023, at Village Shalom.
Norm was born in Kansas City on Nov. 10, 1939, to Goldie and Sam Bresel. He was a graduate of the first class of Shawnee Mission North High School. He went on to earn a degree in pharmacy from the University of Kansas, where he graduated first in his class. Norm practiced as a pharmacist and owned the very popular Fox Hill Pharmacy in Overland Park.
He had a great love of sports and would watch anything sports-related, even on ESPN 4. He especially loved his Jayhawks, Chiefs, and Royals, and had season tickets for years. Norm was an NCAA referee for basketball, as well as a baseball umpire and little league coach.
He had a great love of food… no one enjoyed BBQ and fried chicken more than Norm, and good pizza with extra crispy crust, sushi, Chinese food, and chocolate cake were among his favorites. Norm hated eggs, at least if he could see them, but for some reason, eggs in cake and cookies were okay.
Norm loved fancy cars and could be seen driving around in his bright red convertible sports car or his Jaguar.
He was a longtime member of Congregation Beth Shalom, and maintained a strong connection to Kehilath Israel Synagogue where he grew up, had his bar mitzvah, and was married. His Judaism meant a great deal to him, and he made it a point to always make minyan at Village Shalom until recently when his health declined, and he was no longer able.
Norm loved attending classes, seminars, and lectures – basically anything that added to his breadth of knowledge and understanding. He was a proud brother of Alpha Epsilon Pi Fraternity from the time he was in college to later in his life, when he happily donated time as an advisor.
Norm loved animals including his dogs, Skipper and Domino, and his cat, Buttons. He also loved to travel and visit places all over the world. He especially loved being in Israel, Florida, and Europe, as well as cruising to Alaska and the Caribbean.
Norm was married to his loving and caring wife, Barbara (Epstein) Bresel, who predeceased him several years ago. He is survived by his loving and devoted sister, Deanna, and her late husband, Stanley Martasin of Overland Park, who did so much to help Norm after he became ill and moved back to Kansas City from Florida, where he lived briefly after Barbara’s passing. He is also survived by his daughter, Aliza (Ariel) Katz of Bonita Springs, Florida; son, Scott Bresel of Du Quoin, Illinois; his favorite former son-in-law, Steven Horak of Buffalo Grove, Illinois; and his four beloved grandchildren, Joseph Horak of Scottsdale, Arizona, Meirav Horak of New York City, Elisheva Horak of Aventura, Florida, and Breanna Bresel of Overland Park; as well as his nieces, who he loved very much.
The family wishes to thank those present and past employees of Village Shalom who loved and cared for Norm and were like family to him. While too many to mention individually, Ronda and John Lash were Norm’s personal angels, and he loved and appreciated them more than they will ever know. A special thank you to Sandi and Kenny Lerner for their special and genuine friendship and loyalty, not only to Norman, but to the entire family. They are one-in-a-million true friends.
Norm gave jobs to people who needed them, made sure everyone always had a place to go for holidays, made house calls or opened his store in the middle of the night to help anyone who was sick, and was a kind, generous person who cared very much about others. He was a good friend, husband, son, father, grandfather, and a true mensch whose good name should endure forever.
A graveside service was held Monday, April 24, at Mt. Carmel Cemetery, with Rabbi David Glickman of Congregation Beth Shalom officiating. Donations in memory of Norm can be made to Congregation Beth Shalom or a charity of one’s choice. Online condolences for the family may be left at louismemorialchapel.com.
