NORWICH – Norwich businessman Douglas S. Christman, 76, who passed away Thursday, is remembered this morning as a friend, a mentor and a quiet leader.
He was a well-known area Chevrolet-Buick dealer at Christman Motor Sales Inc. in Norwich for more than 50 years. He became owner-operator in 1978.
He worked with his cousin, Hank Scudder, and friend, Tom Morrone.
“He was a great mentor and a great friend. A good business partnership is like a marriage; it has its ups and downs, but it always sticks together. We were always in contact with each other,” said Morrone.
Scudder said when he was young, his cousin was more of a close uncle who took him hunting and fishing and taught him to build model airplanes. The airplane models were later flown in national model airplane championships in 1961 and 1962.
Christman was community-minded. Both Scudder and Morrone said he contributed significantly behind the scenes to Chenango County and to his employees, but avoided the recognition.
The automobile dealer ran the business from his office, rather than on the salesroom floor.
“He never, never liked to be recognized. It wasn’t his style,” said Scudder. “He wasn’t flamboyant. But he was a quiet leader, and the guys loved him.”
Christman traveled extensively throughout Europe, South America and the Caribbean. His passions also included the New York Yankees and restoring classic cars such as two Indy Pace Cars and a Camaro Supersport.
Doug is survived by his wife, Mary Lou (Quackenbush), and two daughters, Beth and Ann Christman; two step-sons, Patrick Ford and Michael Ford and his wife, Jennifer; four grandchildren, Meghan, Taylor, Logan and Evyn Ford and cousins including Hank, Robert and David Scudder and Eleanor Chisholm.
Funeral services were held at 11 a.m. this morning at the Broad Street United Methodist Church. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to either the Chenango County SPCA or Hospice of Chenango County.