Friend of George Wendt remembers the “Cheers” star

BROUSSARD, La. (KLFY) — “Norm!!!” As the audiences would say anytime George Wendt’s character made his entrance on Cheers.

As Robert Voitier said, that same energy was felt when George Wendt entered his life.

“I do remember him being and just exactly like the character he played character he played in “Cheers”. I mean, he was everybody’s friend, loved by all.” Voitier said.

Voitier and Wendt met through mutual friends at the University of Notre Dame when they attended classes in 1966, Voitier said that Wendt’s infectious energy always led to laughter and memories.

“I was starting freshman year and trying to concentrate, and I was all trying to reconcile sound of my dorm or open a door.” Voitier said. “George and Joe and Mac were having an impromptu hockey game in the hall. Golf Clubs and a tennis ball, and they were just bouncing off the walls and the doors.”

That friendship would remain intact even years after graduation.

“In 1990, he invited my wife and I out to his house in Studio City. Notre Dame was playing Southern Cal, so we went out and had a great time at a party by the pool, and he rented a bus that everybody, about 30 to 35 of us.” Voitier said.

Even one game Voitier couldn’t attend that led to a very sentimental reminder of his friend.

“In 1992, we got invited again, but I couldn’t go because I had heart surgery like the month before the game. So, I sent him my tickets. He sent a nice thank you note that I still have and a check that I still have, never cashed. That’s a nice memento to have.” Voiter said.

Even after the loss of George Wendt, Voitier reminds us of all of the energy and memory he left behind.

“Just his good spirit and his good personality. And a Chicago guy, you know, you remember that skit he did? “The Bears!” That was George and his other two friends, Mac and Joe. Big, Big Bear fans. Chicago fans. All the way.” Voitier said.

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