Irving W North

Irving William North, 94, of Stillwater, Oklahoma, passed away peacefully with his family November 21, 2011. He was born in North Fond du Lac, Wisconsin on July 31, 1917.

He was one of two children born to the late Henrietta and Alfred North. He is survived by his spouse of 45 years Carol North (formerly Carol Haag), also originally from Fond du Lac; son Kevin North and wife Cathy North of Coldwater, MI; their sons Samuel and Matthew; and his daughter Holly North and husband Curtis Stogsdill of Irving, TX. He has three children from a prior marriage; the late Richard Dick North of Morrisville, VT; Jill Gendron and Jean North both of Fond du Lac.

Irving was raised in Fond du Lac, Wisconsin and graduated from Goodrich High School in 1935. He studied mechanical engineering at both the University of Oshkosh and Lawrence University in Appleton, Wisconsin.

During WWII, he had a part in the development of the atom bomb and the production of many military products at Giddings & Lewis, a machine tool plant in Fond du Lac. In 1959 he went to work for Mercury Marine. When Mercury elected to move its Mercruiser Stern Drive manufacturing plant to Stillwater in 1977, Irving and his wife Carol relocated to Stillwater. Irving spent two years on some of the plant design and checking of the special machines for the plant. When in operation, it was a special thrill for Irving since he designed the original Stern Drive for Mercury in 1961 and saw it become a new product line. He retired as Chief Engineer in 1982. He holds ten U.S. Patents for work done at Mercruiser.

Mr. North wore many hats. In the 1940s he played violin in a local symphony orchestra. He enjoyed woodworking, especially clocks; gardening unique varieties of cacti; and was an excellent cook. In recent years he won several awards at the county fair for his famous sweet rolls. He was an avid Green Bay Packers fan and looked forward to playing Pinochle with his friends. Throughout his life Irving enjoyed traveling, especially camping with his family.

Irving joined Frontier Rotary of Stillwater in 1978. He served twice on the board of directors and became a Paul Harris Fellow in 1987. As a front runner in the Student Exchange Program, he and his wife have hosted exchange students from Germany, Spain, Argentina, and Japan. Irving was also an active member at of First United Methodist Church, participating in the Mens Club and the Handbell choir.

Irving touched the lives of many people, and maintained his trademark sense of humor all the way to the end. He said, My life has been better than a celebrated soap opera. In fact, it could fill several books. The family has posted stories Irving wrote about his life on a memorial site, www.irvingnorth.blogspot.com.

Viewing & Visitation will be held at 2:00 p.m. Friday, November 25 at Palmer Marler Funeral Home, 5106 N. Washington, Stillwater, Oklahoma. The funeral service is at 2:00 p.m. Saturday, November 26, also at Palmer Marler.

Memorial donations may be made to: Camp Egan, 26633 Highway 62, Tahlequah, OK 74464; Sunshine Seniors Mobile Meals, 312 W. 9th, Stillwater, OK 74074; or Stillwater Frontier Rotary, P.O. Box 533, Stillwater, OK 74076 for future service projects.