Norris Richmond

1931 - 2017

Dr. Norris Lee Richmond DDS was the first of 10 children born to Norris and Queen Victoria Richmond. He was born and raised in Gary, Indiana and often recalled a very happy upbringing filled with love. Norris accepted the Lord as his Savior at an early age at Trinity Missionary Baptist Church where Rev. Thomas H. Thomas was the Pastor. He graduated from Roosevelt High School in 1949. While directing a church choir in his early twenties, Norris spotted his future wife, Connie Green. They married in 1954 and two children were born to this union, Taiyan and Tish. Norris joined the Air Force in 1952 and enrolled in a dental technician course. This training eventually led to assignments as a dental hygienist in various locations, including Yokahana, Japan, the Philippine Islands and Taipei, Taiwan. After an Honorable Discharge in 1956, Norris earned a Bachelor's Degree in Public Health and went on to graduate from the Indiana University School of Dentistry in 1963. He earned a Master's of Science degree in operative dentistry in 1965. He was then appointed to the IUSD Department of Operative Dentistry, becoming the first African American to join the ranks of the School's full time faculty. Norris was tenured in 1973 and promoted to Professor in 1980. Throughout his career, he received numerous recognitions and awards and earned the distinction of Professor Emeritus upon his retirement from the IUSD on June 19, 1995. Norris made his transition on Wednesday May 24, 2017 at American Senior Communities with his daughters by his side. He was preceded in death by his parents Norris and Queen Victoria Richmond; brothers Raymond and Golden; sisters Marva Dean, Katrina and Jacqueline. In addition to his daughters and former wife his is survived by two granddaughters Mary and Allison Leeth; sisters Louise Lee, Queenlosha (Eugene) Rogers and Sharma (Frank) Fountain; brothers Larson (Delores) Richmond; uncle Joseph Richmond and a host of nieces, nephews, in-laws, and other relatives and friends. Home going service was held at All Souls Unitarian Church in Indianapolis, Indiana where Rev. Anastassia Zinke is the Pastor.