Honored 1995
Norm was born in 1940 in McPherson, Kansas and was raised in Larned, Kansas. He attended Emporia Kansas State College where, in 1963, he graduated with a degree in Communications.
In childhood, Norman contracted encephalitis which caused the loss of the use of his legs. At that time, through reading, Norm began acquiring his vast knowledge of space. That interest led him to career positions with Estes Industries (Model Rockets) and the Solar Energy Research Institute. Through sheer will and determination, Norm earned a FAA Private Pilot certificate in 1995. He owned and flew two Ercoupes.
Norman served as the Manager of Communications/Marketing for Projects with Denver’s Stapleton International Airport in the 1980’s & 1990’s. His expertise was called upon in the design and construction of the new Denver International Airport (DIA), where he made significant contributions in the planning of handicap facilities which garnered DIA worldwide acclaim. When DIA opened in 1995, Norman continued in the public relations and consultation capacities for many years until his retirement.
While employed at Denver International Airport, his expertise was requested internationally, and he often found himself providing educational and inspirational aerospace presentations. He wrote articles for Frontier Airlines Magazine, Air and Space Magazine, and wrote and published a book, “Time Out for Tomorrow”.
For his presentations, Norm received the National Aerospace Education Association Award, the Award for Aerospace Education Leadership, the VFW Outstanding Citizenship Award, and was included in Who’s Who Registry of Executives and Professionals. For 25 years, he was a member of the American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics and was inducted into Who’s Who in American Aviation.
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