John Strathman, a close friend summarized Norm’s career at HP and his memories of their long association: "Norm’s career began at HP while he was attending Stanford. He often said that spending a summer at HP sure beat picking apples for 75 cents an hour in Petaluma where he was raised. Norm joined HP full time when he graduated in1941, and he soon became a major technical contributor at HP. One only need look thru the early HP Journals to see the numerous contributions he made in those early years.

When I joined HP in 1957, the R&D lab consisted of four labs – Microwave, Electronic Counters, Voltmeters and Oscillators, and Oscilloscopes. Norm headed up the Oscilloscope Lab. He had a tough assignment as HP was wading into an area where Tektronix had clearly established themselves for several years, and they hadn’t left many bases uncovered. I was assigned to the 120A low frequency scope project at that time which was the third HP scope entry after the 150A and the 130A. By then Norm had become a master at inventing around Tek’s many circuit patents. I can remember a lot of those clever designs being drawn out on the back of a used envelope! Norm was a great mentor always offering good suggestions and ideas without ever telling one how to do it. He was a greatly liked and admired manager for that reason. Norm was also a great defender of the people in the lab. He was a hard sell when it came to requests from Marketing if he didn’t see a clear technical advancement in their suggestion. Norm also had a wry sense of humor that sometimes reminded people of things they would just as well have forgotten. He wrote or helped write a number of the skits that provided the evening entertainment at HP management meetings. I wasn’t at the meetings, but I did read some of the skits.

When we moved to Colorado Springs, Norm was the manager of Advanced R&D for the Lab. He later moved into a support position being responsible for Engineering Services. Regardless of where he contributed, Norm was always inquisitive, studying and researching some area that was being overlooked. Thru these efforts he made numerous contributions in every position he held. Norm went on to hold the division Quality Manager position for several years. He later told me this was one job he found it difficult to feel he was making significant contributions. Norm’s last several years before retiring were in the Colorado Springs Tech Center where he was the metallization engineer for

integrated circuits. He brought many ingenious ideas and processes to this highly complex process. He was highly respected and admired by everyone with whom he worked.

Norm retired in 1986, having 45 years of service at HP. Norm was honored at his retirement celebration by Hewlett loading more than a dozen HP managers and old time friends of Norm’s into both of HP’s jets to join him in the celebration. Packard sent an inspiring letter to be read as he was still in Washington serving as the Deputy Secretary of Defense. This was an impressive display of the respect and admiration that Bill and Dave had for Norm and his contributions over the years.

Norm didn’t slow down after he retired. He climbed all 53 of the 14,000 foot peaks in Colorado, and did it in two years. I climbed a couple with him and did some back packing with him on the Colorado Trail, and I can attest to the fact that he was like a mountain goat. Norm continued to be inquisitive – always looking into or researching something new. Even during the last few years when we got together he wanted to talk about what he just found out or concluded often regarding health issues most recently. These were in-depth inquiries as indicated by the piles of books and articles piled up here and there in his house. He was forever buying books, and when he found one that he deemed particularly relevant, he would buy multiple copies to give to his friends and family. He often would tell me that he knew more than the doctor when he went for certain appointments. I can indeed believe he did. This was Norm!

Norm liked challenges. An example is the house he built about ten years ago. He purchased two adjoining lots that had been donated to the University of Denver by an alumnus. They were considered unbuildable because of severely unstable soil, and they were on a steep slope. In fact the soil was so unstable that the city had trouble with the street sinking in front of them and had to backfill and repave every so often. These were otherwise very desirable lots with a grand view of Pike’s Peak and the sandstone outcroppings. Norm did extensive studying of soil conditions and the hydraulics thereof as there were also some springs on the property. After extensive drilling and design, he convinced the building department that he had an adequate design, and proceeded to sink extensive piers and build several bulkheads. In ten years the house has proven to be completely stable while the street continues to show sign of sinking.

Norm was a very devoted jazz buff. He attended jazz parties throughout the country with his close friend

Barbara Bunn, as well as in Europe and on frequent jazz cruises. They became very good friends with many of the prominent traditional jazz musicians. Norm grew up with music playing several instruments and had a remarkable memory for being able to recall the name of almost any jazz music.

Although Norm’s heart gave out in the end, he remained as mentally sharp as ever right to the end. He was a dear friend and will be greatly missed. I feel so honored to have known him."

IN MEMORY

We offer our condolences to the families.