Norman Robert Dria Obituary (1949 - 2021)

Born Nov 21, 1949, Norman Robert Dria attended Black River High School in Sullivan, OH. View the obituary, post a memory, or share a photo about Norman Robert Dria.

Graduation Year	Class of 1968
Date of Birth	Nov 21, 1949
Date of Passing	Feb 21, 2021
About	It is with the gravest sorrow that we announce the passing of Norman Robert Dria into Heaven’s open arms on February 21, 2021. Born in Ravenna, Ohio, November 21, 1949, to the late Emil and Marie (Cech) Dria, also preceded in death by his brother Emil C. Dria. For those of you who knew Mr. Dria you couldn’t help but be inspired by his expansive love of family, nature, knowledge, and his passion for teaching. Although he has a large family with many extended relatives, he also considered his students, colleagues, and friends as family, and truly felt blessed to have known and interacted with all of them. He received a BS in Physics and Mathematics from Ashland University in 1972, and a MS in Physics in 1976 from the University of Akron. Upon completing his education, he began teaching in the Black River School District in Medina County, where he inspired and educated young minds for forty years. He was a lifelong dairy farmer and a steward of the land. He embraced life to the fullest and received numerous awards and commendations from those he inspired. Some of his most notable achievements included; receiving the 2003 Professor Raymond W. Bixler Award recognizing his excellence in education, the Acker Outstanding Science Teacher Award, Conservation Teacher of the year (1996) from Medina Soil and Water Conservation. He also served as a 4-H advisor for 9 years, as the Huntington Recycling Coordinator, on the Huntington TWP Board of Appeals for 32 years, a member of the Mohican District Science Council for 45 years, and the Ashland County Earth Day Committee for 10 years. He was a member of AAPT, NEOEA, OEA, NEA, BRTA, and a lifetime member of NRA. He leaves behind his loving wife of 48 years, Janet Louise (Flory), children and grandchildren: Jenny (Matt) Barnett; Karl (Joy) Dria their child Lucy; Gus (Hilary) Dria their children Grace, Lillian, and Bennett, Mary (Paul) Barger their children Abby, Luke, and Eden; Roy (Aimee) Dria their children Tomas and Lucas; Paul (Alecia) Dria their children Aden and Emma, Ray (Jamie) Dria their children Hannah, Claire and Evelyn; Ted (Beth) Dria their children Rudy, Caroline, Travis and Grant); Wendy (Andy) Dria, sister Frances Pruchenski, brothers Dennis (Myra) Dria, Tom (Deb) Dria, and Glenn (Elaine) Dria, numerous nieces, nephews, and extended family that love him immensely.
Events	Per his request, there will be no services. In lieu of flowers, please donate to one of the following organizations: Hospice of North Central Ohio, 1021 Dauch Dr., Ashland, Ohio 44805 or www.myhnco.org Black River Academic Boosters, 257A Co. Rd. 40, Sullivan, Ohio 44880 Lorain County 4-H Endowment, 42110 Russia Rd., Elyria, Ohio 44035