NORMAN STOKLE Obituary

Norman Stokle was born on November 22, 1933, and passed away on Wednesday, February 24, 2016. Raised in County Durham, England, he became a passionate Francophile teaching French language, civilization and literature at universities across the United States as well as in Paris, France and Zaria, Nigeria. He received his PhD from Syracuse University, studied acting at the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art in London and musical composition at the Schola Cantorum in Paris. He appeared in numerous television plays and movies. He retired in 1998, after many years as the Paris Director of the French Year Abroad Program for Skidmore College, New York. In 2008, he settled in Fresno, CA, to be near his beloved brother Gerry.Norman was bigger than life in everything he undertook, a central pillar of the Alliance Française de Fresno; a hilarious pétanque player; a musician; author; book club critic; emeritus raconteur; Unitarian; and an all round funny guy. A man of great culture and charisma, his intellect, warmth and spark spanned the Atlantic across many dinner tables, cafés, and Bastille Day celebrations. He had the sharpest wit, projecting come backs that would tickle anyone with a sense of humor. He is survived by his children, Paul, David, Wendy and Mark; grandchildren, Baxter, Kyle, Lach- lan, Lyran, and Kate; sister Dorothy; brother Gerry; Paul's partner San- dra; Gerry's wife Ellie; and a wide family of cousins, nephews, nieces and friends in Europe and America. We will all miss you so very much. A Celebration of Norman's Life will take place at the Chapel of the Light, 1620 W. Belmont, Fresno, CA, on Monday, March 21, 2016, at 10:30 a.m. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Alliance Française, P.O. Box 5197, Fresno, CA 93755, http://affresno.org/membership/ make-a-donation/.

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Published by Fresno Bee from Mar. 2 to Apr. 4, 2016.

Memories and Condolences
for NORMAN STOKLE

6 Entries

Clarisse Zimra

March 21, 2016

What a Prince! The spiffy young man who could not resist a "bon mot" had just been hired as a junior faculty by UW-Seattle. To his new colleagues and new graduate students, his wit soon became contagious. It was precisely delivered in a superbly high-class bourgeois French "germano-pratin" hoity-toity accent, that enhanced his flawlessly theatrical performance.

What a ham! And what a Prince. A "Norman performance" would be followed by contagious laughter. The wit was generous, never cruel, and often directed at himself.

Was it really half a century ago the flamboyant newcomer in a curly head of hair roamed the Padelford hallways? As the obituary suggests, Norman was a true Renaissance man for whom there has been barely world enough and time.

Surely by now, standing at the Pearly Gates modest as ever, he is lobbing a well crafted bon mot at his situation, trusting Saint Peter has a finely tuned ear for a fine performance delivered in perfect French accent.

Bon voyage dear friend, you've had the wind at your back all along and the most splendid road has finely risen to meet you.

Kathy Carter

March 21, 2016

i knew Norm for many years at Skidmore College and always looked forward to his visits to campus. He was a delight to be around and it was always my pleasure to assist him when he came to Human Resources. His light burned bright, and I can't imagine it fading now! He will be missed.

John Anzalone

March 14, 2016

I worked with Norman for almost 20 years as Skidmore's campus coordinator for foreign study. He established Skidmore on the Paris map, with his customarily energetic and creative direction of the program. I valued the wisdom of his advice and the sheer fun of his friendship. He was ebullient and indomitable, a big presence always. I poke with him just last summer, never imagining we'd not have other chances to meet up. I send condolences to his family on your painful loss.

Lucy Laederich

March 14, 2016

It's not fair that Norman left us before finishing his opera!!!! There will be a very empty hole in the lives and hearts of those of us who loved that extraordinary man...