Norman R. Smith

Elkhart, KS

1939-40, 4726, Chamberlain, SCS-7, Subaltern
1941, 792, Roubaix, F-6, CO

Norm, as his friends and family knew him, passed away on June 11, 2007. He was born to Al and Jo Smith on February 29, 1916, in Elkhart, Kansas.

After a childhood spent surviving the western Kansas dust storms, Norm attended the University of Kansas, earning a B.S. in Business He was a lifetime member of Delta Upsilon Fraternity. He completed ROTC and was commissioned a Second Lieutenant in the Army Coast Artillery. He served active duty with the Civilian Conservation Corps, commanding a CCC Company in the Black Hills of South Dakota.

When demand for officer personnel occurred before World War II, Norm was ordered to Fort Worden, Washington. There he commanded a 12-inch coast artillery gun battery. He later served with the Western Defense Command at Fort Lewis. From there he served with the Allied Forces Headquarters and later with the Allied Commission in Italy. He returned to civilian service in May 1946, but remained in Reserve officer status as a Lt. Colonel in the Adjutant General Corps.

During his service at Fort Lewis he met his lovely wife Lillian and they were married August 29, l946 on his return from Italy. They purchased a men's clothing store in downtown Tacoma, which they operated successfully for 36 years. During this time Norm also served: on the board of directors of the Better Business Bureau and the Tacoma Kiwanis Club; as president of The Tacoma Club; as chairman of the Retail Trade Board and the Retail Trade Association; as a member of the Tacoma Planning Commission for six years; as Commodore of the Tacoma Yacht Club; and as president and secretary of Select Ventures Investment Club, which he belonged to since 1956, being a charter member.

In addition to their love for dancing, Norm and Lil loved sailing, both racing and cruising. They spent many summers cruising the Inland Passage in Canada. Norm also played golf and marshalled PGA and LPGA tournaments on Oahu, where he and Lil spent many winters after their retirement.

Those he leaves to remember him are his brother- and sister-in-law, Joel and Jackie Belsvik of Bellevue, Washington, many devoted nieces and nephews, and a host of close and dear friends. He was preceded in death by his parents, his brother Roland, and his beloved Lil in 2000.

A celebration of Norm's life will be held at the Tacoma Yacht Club on Thursday, June 28, 2007 at 3:00 P.M. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that Norm be remembered for his love of children through the Kiwanis Club of Tacoma Foundation at P.O.Box 7848, Tacoma, WA 98417-0848.

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