Norbert (Tony) Anthony Dantzman
Updated: Mar 4
Norbert Anthony Dantzman, who goes by Tony, traveled from his home in California to Winter, Wisconsin with his family to attend a family centennial celebration in his hometown.
Tony was last seen Friday morning, August 30, 2019 leaving the Northern Lights Hotel in Winter, Wisconsin.
Tony was reported as missing to the Sawyer County Sheriff's Office.
Law Enforcement reviewed video surveillance cameras from the hotel and was able to confirm that Tony did leave the hotel Friday morning around 9 AM. Eye witnesses also reported seeing a man fitting Tony's description walking toward the Norwood Trailer Park and then walking North on County Highway W.
An extensive search by the Sawyer County Sheriff's Office and local Search and Rescue was done in the area that Tony was last seen. The searches carried on for several days and involved ground searches using canines, and ATVs, and Air searches using airplanes, helicopters and drones. Dogs were able to follow Tony's scent through the trailer park, down a dirt road and then a paved road but then lost the scent. A Silver Alert was issued for Tony regionally and then expanded nationwide thinking that it was possible that Tony might be hitchhiking.
Tony is 89 years old, and is 5'9"tall, and weighs about 136 pounds. He has white hair that is balding on top and a full, short beard/goatee. Tony has brown eyes and wears glasses. He was last seen wearing a black and white small-checkered shirt, black vest, black pants, black shoes, a black windbreaker and light colored cap with a Marine symbol on it. It is believed that Tony doesn't have any identification or money.
All searches have ended with no signs of Tony. The Sawyer County Sheriff's Office is asking everyone in Winter and the surrounding areas to check their outbuildings, surveillance cameras, and trail cameras and report anything to law enforcement.
Tony's family is asking If you or someone you know was in the Winter/Ojibwa area on Friday, August 30th or in the surrounding area on Labor Day Weekend, and happened to see an elderly man walking or gave him a ride, to please call Sawyer County Sheriff Department at 715-634-5213. They are also asking for you to please search your buildings and check your trail and surveillance cameras.
Any leads or information should be directed to:
Sawyer County Sheriff's Office
715-634-5213
You can find more on NamUs:
Additional Sources:
Wisconsin Clearinghouse for Missing & Exploited Children & Adults
Facebook Silver Alert
***Silver Alert issued for Tony Dantzman has been expanded statewide as he may be hitchhiking.
Courier-Journal.com/March 18th, 2020 Family’s Quest for Missing Veteran with Dementia Leads Search to Kentucky
News8000.com/Auguust 16th, 2020
Journal Sentinal/August 31, 2019
Silver Alert: Norbert 'Tony' Dantzman, 89, believed to be hitchhiking
WCCO 4 CBS Minnesota/September 3, 2019
Wisconsin Police Searching For Missing 89-Year-Old Norbert Dantzman
Ashland Daily Press/ September 3, 2019
'No trace' found of missing man in Winter area
Drydenwire.com/September 9, 2019
UPDATE: Sheriff Issues Update On Search For Norbert Anthony Dantzman
***UPDATES***
September 2019
Tony's family is now offering a $500 reward for information that leads to the location of Norbert “Tony” Anthony Dantzman.
WEAU September 3, 2019
UPDATE: Family offering $5,000 reward for missing Sawyer County man
March 2020
Tony was possibly seen recently at two Interstate 64 truck stops in Kentucky, according to family. The reported sightings were by a Denny's restaurant at the Flying J Travel Center and by a McDonald's at the Love's Travel Center, with both truck stops located on Waddy Road. Waddy, is in Shelby County and about 50 miles east of Louisville.
Courier Journal March 18, 2020
Family's quest for missing veteran with dementia leads search to Kentucky
August 2020
It is believed that Tony may have stopped in Prairie Du Chien, WI the weekend of August 30th, 2019. According to News8000.com, "Investigators believe he may have tried to catch a ride with someone. Dantzman does have dementia so he might not know he is missing."
Tony was possibly seen at truck stops along Interstate 64 in Kentucky in early 2020. It is possible that he is trying to get back to his home in California.
The family has created a website that offers a $5000 reward-Tony Danztman
They also have a Facebook page-Bring Tony Dantzman Home
Channel 8000 August 16, 2020
October 2021
After more than two years, the family continues searching for answers and are offering a $10,000 reward for tips leading to the recovery of Tony Dantzman.
WEAU October 7, 2021
2 years later: Family continues search for missing grandpa
