Norman, 87, died June 6, 2011, in Kalispell, Montana. He was born on a farm east of Kalispell on July 19, 1923.

He was a conscientious objector during World War II and served 13 months in Idaho in the Civilian Public Service before jumping from Missoula in 1945."The one distinctive event I claim during my time as a smokejumper was that I was the only one who had to use his emergency chute on a fire jump."

Norman joined the crew of the U.S.S. Mount Whitney in 1946 and helped transport horses to Poland as a part of the United Nations Relief and Rehabilitation Act.

He attended Hesston College in Kansas before earning a degree from Eastern Mennonite College in Virginia.

He then became a teacher and school administrator, continuing until 1970, when he became a pastor in the Mennonite Church. He enjoyed church volunteerism capacities following retirement from the pulpit, including service with Gospel Echoes Prison Ministries.