Terry Pliner dies at 74; longtime coach set relay record at Lisle

Terry Pliner

Terry Pliner

Terry Pliner, a longtime Wisconsin coach who did a range of events, died Jan. 7, three days before his 75th birthday, reports Bob Osterhoudt. Bob writes: “Shortly after we last saw Terry at Nationals, he suffered a recurrence of his lymphoma/melanoma, stood another surgery in respect to it, passed through an experimental drug program to treat it, and fought very hard for his life. In late December, however, a bout with influenza and congestive heart failure incited the pneumonia that killed him… His obituary appeared in the Green Bay Press-Gazette earlier this week. His wife is Virginia Pliner at 1321 Delray Drive, Green Bay, WI 54304. Jerry (Feldhausen, a longtime, track-and-field friend of Terry) also told me how much the modest record we managed in Lisle meant to Terry, all the more reason perhaps to do what we might to see it through to ratification.” Terry was a member of the SoCal Track Club, and he was part of the M70 team that set a shuttle hurdles American record at Lisle nationals with Fred Niedermeyer, Bob Osterhoudt and Terry Rowan.



Here’s the full obituary for posterity:


Longtime track and field coach Pliner dies at 74

Terry Pliner, a longtime area track and field coach at the high school and collegiate level, died Jan. 7 following a battle with cancer.

Pliner, 74, was the head men’s track and field coach at St. Norbert College from 1980 to 1989, and was an assistant from 1974 to 1979. He also was the head women’s track and field coach from 1985 to 1991.

At the time of his death, he was an assistant coach at Green Bay Notre Dame. Prior to coaching at St. Norbert, Pliner coached at Green Bay Premontre and St. Agnes Grade School.

St. Norbert’s first national champion, Laura Salm, claimed the NCAA Division III indoor high jump title under Pliner’s tutelage in March 1991.

Pliner is survived by his wife of 52 years, Virginia; and three children, Todd, Shelley Schumacher and Lynne Van Hollen, who he all coached at St. Norbert.

Friends may call at Blaney Funeral Home, 1521 Shawano Ave., in Green Bay, from 4 to 7 p.m. Sunday. Friends may also call at Bethany United Methodist Church, 1110 Echo Lane in Ashwaubenon, from 10 to 11 a.m. Monday. The funeral service will be held at 11 a.m. Monday at the church. Burial will be in Fort Howard Memorial Park.

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January 13, 2013

9 Responses

  1. peter taylor - January 13, 2013

    I am very proud to have announced Terry in the shuttle hurdles at Lisle nationals on August 3. Now we find that he passed away on January 7, just 5 months and 4 days later. It always hurts to lose the courageous ones.

  2. jeff davison - January 14, 2013

    Terry was great to talk with at the meets. He will be missed.

    Terry was a big supporter of my efforts, and I greatly appreciate it.

    Terry owned his own company and later sold the business to his relative.

    Terry also volunteered for the GB Packers (tours, etc)

  3. Mark Cleary - January 17, 2013

    Terry was not just a Track & Field buddie and team mate, he was a good friend.I will always remember him for his great sense of humor with a sarcastic tone.He competed in many National meets and was always a big team supporter. I was caught off guard
    when I got the news-in October he told me he was training and hoped to be ready for Indoor-sad to see you go so soon my good friend-but I will see you on the other side

  4. jeff davison - January 19, 2013

    Note: It appears that the M70-79 shuttle hurdle relay American
    Record that Terry was part of has been approved.
    It will take a while before it gets posted.

  5. Shelley (Pliner)Schumacher - January 20, 2013

    Bob, Fred, Terry and Jeff,

    Thank you so much for seeing that this record will be confirmed. Our dad loved this sport and especially appreciated being able to compete with all of you this past August.

    Shelley, Lynne & Todd

  6. Jerry Feldhausen - January 24, 2013

    Terry was my very good friend for over 40 years and we traveled many miles together – traveling to meets to compete (we were at both indoor & outdoor Nationals in 2012), traveling to meets to coach (we coached together at St. Norbert College for 15 years) or traveling to meets to watch (we went to a few USATF Nationals). I first got to know Terry through the Fox Valley Track Club that he established in 1963. You will always be my dear friend and I will miss you, but you will continue to inspire me to compete and train to be the best I can be.

  7. Michael - January 25, 2013

    Just a random observation, why is it that most people die just before their birthday? This makes it even more heartbreaking, I would think. Anyway, Terry Pliner will surely be missed what with his contributions to and passion for the sport.

  8. Terry J. Pliner - February 13, 2013

    Sorry to hear the news. Just found out 2-13 13

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