More detail on this person: Donald Richard Norgard, 76 Funeral Notices Arizona Daily Star, The (Tucson, AZ) - Thursday, March 13, 2008 was born the last of seven to Danish immigrant parents in Chicago, Illinois on April 27, 1931. He died unexpectedly March 6, 2008. After graduating from high school in Morgan Park, he supported himself through Purdue University working summers on the railroad and weekends at his parents' farm. He completed a degree in agriculture and participated in ROTC. While serving in the US Army, he married Grace. He made a career in the military because of his love of flying. Don and Grace had three children, Donald, Barbara and Mary. Don's Army career spanned 25 years including flying helicopters and fixed wing aircraft as well as commanding aircraft maintenance sites in various sites in the world. He served two terms in Viet Nam where he survived a helicopter crash. He was exposed to agent orange and learned the horrors of war in Viet Nam. He retired from the army as a Lt. Colonel. Post traumatic stress disorder and a myriad of war-related medical issues made adjusting back to normal life difficult. After retiring from the military, Don taught aircraft maintenance at Cochise College for thirteen years. He and Kathy were married in 1977 in Tucson, Arizona and Don helped raise Sonda and John Eastlack. In his last years, Don spent his time with family, cooking and serving meals for several homeless programs, going on Samaritan patrols, working to end the death penalty, remodeling and building projects, and spending summers in Crested Butte, Colorado. Don loved his family. Don was a good listener and a friend to many. He cared deeply about social justice issues. Over the years, he mentored many people including Imad El Durubi, a Jordanian who thought of Don as his American father. He enjoyed bicycling, hiking, music and traveling. He graduated from truck driving school the last year of his life. Don is survived by his wife, Kathy and his five children, Donald Norgard, Jr., Barbara Goodhart, Mary Thatcher, Sonda Donovan and John Eastlack as well as seven living grandchildren Jody Norgard, Dustin Norgard, Kristin Ducat, Amber Thatcher, Zachery Thatcher, Ella Donovan and Corinna Donovan and one great-grandson, Xavier Ducat. A Celebration of Don's life will be held at Southside Presbyterian Church, 23rd and 10th on Saturday, March 15, 2008, 300 p.m. at Southside Presbyterian Church, 317 W. 23rd Street, Tucson, AZ. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Southside Presbyterian Homeless Program, 317 W. 23rd Street, Tucson, AZ 85713.
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Date posted on this site: 03/10/2024
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