Clair Francis Norman

1934 - 2010 Former colleagues, friends and students will be sad to hear of the passing of Petaluma resident Clair Francis Norman who was struck by a car in San Francisco and died on October 22, 2010. Mr. Norman taught foreign languages at Petaluma Junior High School for over 25 years. He was fluent in French and German and was an avid student of Spanish and Russian. He was a graduate of St. John's University in Minnesota. Norman served in the US Army in Europe after the Korean War and then came to Petaluma. He was a world traveler and enjoyed the year he spent in Laos on a Fullbright Scholarship as an English teacher in 1965. He was also the author of two books: Black Bootee and California Cruising. He organized and led the Petaluma Federation of Teachers during the 1970s and served in the leadership of the California Federation of Teachers. In the last few years, many Petaluma residents saw green enthusiast Norman on his bicycle almost every morning, stopping to pick up bottles and cans which he deposited in recycle bins on his way home. Clair Norman is survived by hundreds of friends, former colleagues and thousands of students. There will be a Celebration of Life at a time and place to be announced. If you would like to be invited to the event, please e-mail somerset@friendshouse.org and use "Clair Norman" as the subject and leave your telephone number.