Norman Carlson

Norman Eugene Carlson died just before sunrise on November 14, 2024, at the age of 90. His wife Mary, his son Paul, and his daughter Sarah were with him.

Norm was born July 21, 1934, on the South Side of Chicago during a famous heat wave. He grew up in a melting-pot urban environment, anchored by a large extended Swedish family and the Calvary Baptist Church. He received a superb education in the Chicago Public Schools and graduated a year early. At Carleton College he majored in English and edited the newspaper. On a double date in his senior year, he realized he liked the other girl more; not long afterwards he got engaged to that girl -- Mary Jean Bayley -- at the spring formal.

They married in September 1955 and immediately went east for graduate school at Rutgers University. With two children and a doctorate, he began a teaching career at DePauw University in Greencastle, Indiana. An uncongenial chairman resulted in a move to Western Michigan University and Kalamazoo in 1963 -- the best thing that ever happened to him, he said. Two more children arrived, and a house on Westnedge Hill became his home for fifty years.

Family, faculty, and friends spent many happy hours there enjoying Mary's superb cooking. Norm was the skilled and attentive bartender ensuring that conversation flowed; he also made delicious French bread from scratch to complement the food and wine.

He taught English at WMU for 37 years. A favorite course was "Good Books" (instead of the dusty "Great Books"). As Undergraduate Director he started and ran a rigorous assessment program for incoming freshmen. His tech skills helped the English Department's transition to the digital age. Sabbaticals in London and Washington D.C. were treasured.

In retirement he indulged a passion for travel that covered most of the planet. Highlights included rafting the Grand Canyon at age 76, and a 200-mile walk across England, which he described to a Gazette reporter as "an odd kind of fun."

A man of deep and private faith, he worshiped at Westminster Presbyterian Church for sixty years, serving as Elder and as a member of the Mission Team. His legacy is the Westminster Peace Prize, awarded annually to a local group or person who is "trying to make our poor old world a better place" (his signature prayer ending).

The most important part of his life, by far, was his family. He is survived by Mary, his beloved wife of 69 years; children Eric, Melissa, Paul, and Sarah; their spouses and partners (Robert Green, Nor Arif, and Greg Braun); grandchildren Susannah, Ian, Azmi, and Aalia; and nephews and nieces.

A service will be held at 1 p.m. on Friday, December 6th, at Westminster Presbyterian Church, 1515 Helen Ave, Portage, MI, 49002.

While at www.amsfuneralhomes.com please take time to sign Norman’s guestbook and/or share your favorite memory with his family. Memorial contributions should go to Loaves and Fishes (kzoolf.org) or Rails to Trails (railstotrails.org).

The Carlson family is being cared for by the Avink, McCowen & Secord Funeral Home, 5975 Lovers Lane, Portage, MI 49002 (269) 344-5600