Robert Michael “Mike” Norman, Capt., U.S. Navy (Ret.), 61, passed away peacefully Wednesday, August 7, 2013, surrounded by his family at his home in Williamsburg, Virginia. Born April 14, 1952, in Jacksonville, Florida, he was the son and only child of Lenora Diane Norman and Robert Dean Norman, Capt., U.S. Navy (Ret.), both parents preceded him in death. He is survived by his loving wife, Carolyn Elizabeth Whitehurst-Norman of Williamsburg, VA.; devoted daughter, Alicia Cristin (Norman) Ebersole and her husband, John Royal Ebersole of Chesapeake, VA.; son, Eric Michael Norman and his wife Amanda Lee Norman of Cocoa, FL; grandson, Levi Richard Norman of Cocoa, FL; two step grandchildren, Logan and Calysta Lawhorn of Cocoa, FL; aunt, Anita Louise Bessent of Jacksonville, FL; and “a brother of another mother” and fellow musician, Guy Burlage of Woodstock, Vermont.
In 1969, after graduation from T.C. Williams High School in Alexandria, VA., Mike was appointed to the United States Naval Academy in Annapolis, Maryland. Graduating with a degree in Aerospace Engineering in 1973, he was commissioned into the U.S. Navy as a Fighter Pilot flying the F14, then as Wing Commander of the 84th Fighter Squadron. In 1979, after graduating from the highly selective U.S. Naval Test Pilot School at Patuxent River, Maryland, he flew and tested fixed-winged, rotary-wing, and tilt-rotor aircraft. In 1980, Mike was selected as a NASA Group 9 Astronaut Candidate. In 1985, with a PhD in Aerospace Engineering from the University of Southern California he began working as a Research Scientist with The Boeing Company where he was employed until the time of his death.
When people asked Mike, “What do you do?” he always replied, ìI’m a singer and song writer.” Mike was gifted in many things but his passion was music and he often performed at local establishments in the Williamsburg, VA. area. Mike was brilliant, humble and compassionate and is dearly missed by the many who were fortunate enough to know him.
A memorial will be held in October at Kings Mill, Williamsburg, VA. Burial at Arlington National Cemetery at a future date to be determined.
The family thanks M.D. Anderson Medical Center, Bayada Home Health and Heartland Hospice for their outstanding care.
Robert Michael Norman