Arlan Norman

1940 - 2021

Arlan (Arlie) Norman, aged 81, died suddenly on Saturday, July 31, in Bellingham, Washington, after suffering a devastating stroke. Efforts to save him allowed his family time to be with him in his final hours. There has been an outpouring of grief that serves as a testament to his impact on all who knew and loved him. Arlie was born and raised in North Dakota, received his PhD at Indiana University and established his career in Boulder, coming to the University of Colorado as an Assistant Professor of Chemistry in 1966 under a National Science Foundation (NSF) Center of Excellence grant. He rose to full professor ranks, was an Alfred P. Sloan Fellow, served as Chair of the Department of Chemistry from 1983 - 1986, before becoming Associate Dean of Natural Sciences in 1999. His long career at CU in research and teaching led to numerous publications and awards. Arlie served as Chair of the Board of Directors of the University of Colorado Federal Credit Union (now Elevations Credit Union) from 1994 - 2004, and also served on the Supervisory Committee. During that time, the credit union completed several major capital construction projects and grew both its membership and assets considerably. During their 35 years in Boulder, Arlie and his wife, Diane, raised their two children and embarked on a lifelong love of the outdoors, whether hiking, camping or skiing. Arlie sang in the CU Men's Chorus and supported the Colorado Music Festival. Arlie moved to Bellingham in 2003 to be the Founding Dean of Western Washington University's (WWU) College of Sciences and Technology, a position he held for eight years. Even in retirement, Arlie was deeply involved in community organizations in Bellingham including Rotary, the SPARK Museum of Electrical Invention and the Technology Alliance Group. Throughout his life, he was committed to high quality science education. Arlie was brilliant, yet humble, curious and always interested in others. He shared his love of travel and adventure with friends and family. An active, involved father and grandfather, he loved spending time with daughter, Hilary Benson, her husband David, and their three children in the Seattle area. And, he was a proud, devoted father to his son, U.S. Army Colonel Geoffrey Norman, his wife Stephanie and their two sons, through their frequent moves around the country and deployments overseas. Arlie has been honored at WWU with a scholarship fund established in 2015 in the College of Science and Engineering. Named the Arlan Norman Award for Excellence in Student Mentoring, the fund recognizes his contributions as the inaugural Dean of CSE and his lifelong dedication to mentorship, science and education. Arlie is survived by his wife of 55 years, Diane; daughter, Hilary; son, Geoffrey, and five grandsons; his sisters Doris Steingraber and Twyla Chun. A small family service is planned now, with a celebration of his life sometime in the fall.