Douglas I. Norman was called home to his Heavenly Father this morning after a very short illness, while his family was surrounding him.
Doug was born the eldest child of Frances and G. Douglas Norman on October 1, 1941 in Moline, IL. He was a graduate of Sacred Heart Catholic Grade School and Alleman Catholic High School. Doug attended St. Ambrose College, Davenport, IA, and graduated with honors from the University of Illinois, Champaign-Urbana with a bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering.
He married Cheryl Downs in July 1964. On June 6, 1987 Doug married Carolyn Woods, his wife of 24 years.
His wife Carolyn survives him. Washington, IL, his father, G.Douglas Norman, East Moline, IL; his sons and daughters Dennis (Angie) Norman, Virginia; David (Marissa) Norman, Arizona; Donald (Susan) Norman, South Carolina, Anna (David) Norman-White, IL; Kathy (Jay) Bowman Lebanon, IN; David Woods Avon, IN; Larry Woods Pekin, IL; Wayne (Staci) Woods, Manito, IL, 16 grandkids and one great grandchild, his brother William (Ellen) Norman East Moline, IL, his sister, Jo Ann (Douglas) Norman East Moline, IL and numerous nieces and nephews. His mother, Frances Norman, preceded Douglas in death.
Doug started his career with Caterpillar in 1964 as a product development engineer stationed at the project proving grounds in Peoria, and then the Arizona proving grounds. He later joined the Engine Division in Mossville where he worked till retirement. He received a patent in January 2011 for a Fan Speed Control System, one of his inventions. He celebrated his life by participating in a very wide variety of activities. Doug truly loved his family and spending time with them, other pastimes he enjoyed were his job, as well as antique tractors, windmills, square dancing, western dancing, Boy Scout Leader activities, driving for Red Cross, and radio control airplanes.
Doug was an avid aviation enthusiast and built a full scale flight simulator in his home. He flew many computer simulated missions with other pilots on the internet. He also was a member of the Washington RC Flyers club where he became proficient in flying remote controlled models and competed in fun fly events.
A funeral mass will be celebrated on Friday, June 17, 2011 at 10:00 a.m. at St. Thomas Catholic Church in Peoria Heights with Father Thomas Taylor officiating. Burial will follow in Resurrection Cemetery in Peoria. Visitation will be on Thursday at Mason-White Funeral Home in Washington from 5 to 8 p.m. and one hour prior to services on Friday at the church.
Memorials may be made to either the Kidney Foundation or Cancer Society.