R. Lehman

Eleven years later, not a month goes by without me thinking of Norman. He was an irrepressible bon vivant, one of a kind in my life and from all evidence for a good many people who enjoyed his whimsical, witty approach to life. He was anchored by his profession, performed it impeccably, and used it as a springboard for lifelong creative inspiration. A lovely guy. How I miss him. I still can't quite get my head around the fact that, as the Irish sometimes say, he ducked through the curtain.

I continue to miss Norman every day. How he embraced life! What fun he was to be with.

Norman was a delightful man, a rare combination -- a serious professional and a light-hearted bon vivant. He was forgiving and compassionate, and generous to a fault. His family and friends, particularly his dear Marilyn, gave him profound pleasure. He was himself a pleasure -- smart, observant, complicated, comedic, sensitive to life's ups and downs, and acutely aware of its tragic elements. I'll miss the boy until that day when he picks me up again for lunch, in that marvelous old Mercedes...

Norman and I met in 1964 while we bothwerein the Navy. of course, atthat time I had to call him Dr. Lehman and "Sir.", since i was an enlisted man and he was an Officer. Later, after we left the Navy and I finished dental school, we became partners at the 350 Pacific practice where we worked together for 14 years. Norman left the practice, I took it over, and continued my practice there for another 16 years,during which time I studied and received a accredited status with the American...