Norman Gregg Dillman

LABELLE - Norman Dillman passed away peacefully at home surrounded by his family on Sunday, Nov. 21, 2010. For the last two years, he fought Mantle Cell Lymphoma and was tireless in his efforts to find his cure for this disease. Norm was born on Sept. 5. 1938, in Warren County, Iowa, to Avis and Frank Dillman. He went to Indianola, Iowa schools and later attended Iowa State University where he completed his masters and doctorate degrees in Electrical Engineering. Norm worked at the University of Rolla, Missouri as a professor, and then continued his career with Hewlett Packard as a development engineer. Hewlett Packard allowed him the opportunity to travel to Malaysia, Vietnam, Puerto Rico and Russia. He was a published researcher and was responsible for six patented electrical devices. Later, he was a professor at Kansas State University, where he was advisor to the school Solar Car team. He retired from Kansas State University as Professor Emeritus in 2005. He was always involved in the communities in which he lived. He was an active HAM radio operator. He was named as Kansas' HAM radio operator of the year. As N0JCC, he worked with the Manhattan, Kansas and LaBelle Emergency Operation Centers, setting up and working radios during all types of emergencies. He had a great love for owls and became involved in working with the Audubon Society, Humane Society, and the Clinic for the Rehabilitation of Wildlife (CROW) in Sanibel. He loved to share his knowledge of this noble bird and spent several years hosting talks to Labelle's school children, and became known as the "Owl Guy" by many children in town. He rescued several owls after they became injured and took them to CROW to be rehabilitated, and when the birds were ready, he had the great pleasure of watching them be released back to their native habitat. He also had two special barred owls that came to visit his yard every evening, and Norm invited many to come and see his special birds. Norm was married to his high school sweetheart, Phyllis on August 10, 1957. They spent their years together living in Iowa, Missouri, Colorado, Southeast Asia and Puerto Rico. Norm is survived by his wife, Phyllis; his children, David and wife, Kara; Linda and husband, Michael McVey; Mark and his wife, Jill. Also, his grandchildren, Meghann and husband, Stan; Connor, Brennah, Nicole, Jack and great-grandson, Brayden. He is also survived by his sister, Doris Gene Kauzlarich and his nephews, Mike and Greg. Norm leaves many dear family members and good friends to remember and cherish his memory. A memorial will be held on Saturday, December 4 at 2 p.m. The service will be held at the Dillman home on Riviera Vista in Labelle. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made to the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society.