Norman K. Baugh

Norman Baugh Obituary

Norman K. BAUGH Norman passed away on March6, 2011 at the age of 89 from congestive heart failure. He was a true survivor, having lived through WWII and a brain aneurysm at the age of 49. In 1942 at the beginning of WWII, Norman's ship, the India Arrow, a Socony Vacuum Oil Company tanker was torpedoed off the New Jersey coast by a German submarine. He was one of 12 survivors out of a crew of 38. He went on to graduate from the Merchant Marine Academy in 1944, and shortly thereafter married his childhood sweetheart, Alice Merrick. They enjoyed a wonderful life together, married nearly 67 years, and had 4 loving children and 7 grandchildren. They moved to the Seattle area in 1956 to work for the Boeing Co. from which they both retired in 1982. He and Alice were avid hikers, trekking over 400 miles during their many NW hiking trips. They enjoyed traveling the world, but also loved to stay home at their house in Enatai, and "enjoy the yard". They moved from the family home to a nearby town home in 2005. He is survived by his wife Alice, their 4 children, Carolyn (Scott), Stephen (Debbie), Don (Lynn) and Phyllis (John); 7 grand-children; and numerous nephews and nieces. He will be missed by all who knew him for his great sense of humor, wonderful story telling and his trademark whistling! A private family gathering to celebrate his life will be held on Sunday March 13th at their son's home in Snohomish.

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Published by The Seattle Times on Mar. 9, 2011.

Memories and Condolences
for Norman Baugh

10 Entries

Mindy Sneva Phillips

March 12, 2011

It always seemed a good thing to hang out at Phyl's house, where I'd see Alice and Norman. Growing up, they opened their home to me, always welcoming me to join right in. I loved hanging out there with my best friend. We giggled so many times at Norman, walking out to the kitchen in the middle of the night to have a little snack, sitting comfortably in his T.V. chair, working outside "enjoying the yard", showing off his stamps, trying to enlighten us with lectures of all kinds, and turning the air conditioner up way too high in the car!
Norm, I'm so glad I got to experience the "Baugh" family that you and Alice made together. I'm intertwined forever! Thank you for staying in touch over the years. Thank you for sweet memories. The world's a better place having had you a part of it. Love, Mindy

Carole Breeden

March 12, 2011

Phyllis, you and your family are in our thoughts. I am very sorry to hear about your loss, your Dad sounds like he was an amazing father and man. We will keep you in our hearts and prayers.

Peter and Mary Dowden

March 11, 2011

Norman was a joy to know. Funny, especially when he talked in his own strange language that could have been inspired by some of his many travels with Alice. Or perhaps it came from his days in the Merchant Marine, where we are lucky that he didn’t go down with his ship. A great companion, enthusiastic and caring. Like all who knew him, we will miss him immensely.

Dad, Donnie & me on a hike

Phyllis Seren

March 11, 2011

To the best dad in the world, I'll always be your "Baba". The one "you didn't want" :)
I remember laying by the heater on December weekend mornings where I could hear you down in the basement in "Santa's workshop" tinkering away on some project or another. You built so many things for us kids growing up from a trike for me, to the little house called "BABA'S PLACE", to the horse and climbing rope in the yard. You were always the one on the floor with us kids, tickling and playing. You made every family gathering more fun. I'll never forget all the camping trips to beachside, Oregon, the many hikes and the love of the outdoors you instilled in all of us, which we've passed on to our own kids. You and mom were such great grandparents, taking care of TJ & Scotty when I went back to work--all the fun "adventures" you shared with them that they will cherish forever. You came to sporting events for all the grandkids, never missed a birthday party, or other special events. Everyone will miss dad's wonderful stories--I could listen for hours, and wish I could hear more. I'll miss his whistling and humming songs-even "the song that never ends!" as annoying as it was! He loved simple fun, and made our lives rich with love.
love you dad,
Baba

Colleen DeMerritt

March 10, 2011

My thoughts and prayers go out to the Baugh family.
Colleen DeMerritt

March 10, 2011

What a character, he will be missed, my heart goes out to all the Baugh family..Sally Seren Martinazzi

TJ Seren

March 10, 2011

I also remember when i was five or six, being repeatedly tricked into giving him "haircuts" all the time, which didnt involve scissors or cutting of hair, but was really just his way of getting a free head massage.

March 10, 2011

Norm was a really awesome grandpa. When i was growing up my grandpa and grandma used to watch me until my dad was done with work in the afternoon. i remember being so excited every morning to find out what adventure grandpa and I were going to go on that day. I have no idea how he found so many different parks to go to, but i swear we never went to the same one twice. And i still remember the time he took me to the fire station for my own private tour. I remember thinking he must be really important to be able to walk in and get a tour, just like that. As I got older I started going over to mow their lawn in the spring and summer months. After I finished I would go inside and sit and talk for an hour or two and listen to all of grandpas amazing stories. Apparently he once got into a bar fight with some little skinny guy that he said he figured he could easily take. Turns out the guy was a current featherweight champion boxer and grandpa got knocked out in less than thirty seconds. Then there was the time he was trying to point out a crocodile and accidentaly pegged it in the head with a rock when they lived down in florida and almost got the family attacked. He had so many great stories and was so good at telling them. I will miss him a lot. I'll miss his story telling. And his gruff, loud, sometimes border line inappropriate, but always hilarious and enteratining behavior at family gatherings. It definitely will not be the same without him :( but I am happy that he lived such a long and interesting life, and got to experience so much and collect so many unbelievable stories along the way. His energy and spirit have returned to the earth and the cosmos and as we experience the beauty that is all around us everyday, we can be reminded of him and anyone else we have ever lost. love you grandpa
- TJ

Debbie Baugh

March 9, 2011

I had the honor of becoming a family member by marrying his eldest son, Steve. Having lost my own father years ago, he became my father figure and I cherished that he welcomed me into his family and heart -- Norm always had more love to share. I'll remember him always for his love for Alice and his family, his never-ending wonderful stories that I listened to for hours around the dining room table, watching his grandkids play sports and routing them on, and the beauty he created in his home and gardens. That's what I'll treasure.... his loving daughter-in-law, Debbie.

patricia Love

March 9, 2011

A wonderful man...he had true grit:) and a twinkle in his eye..he will be missed!
patricia Love

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