Norman Prince

Robert Norman William Prince III, known as Norman or "Norm", passed away peacefully on January 2, 2025, in Alvin, Texas, at 87. Born on November 26, 1937, in Reno, Nevada, to Lois Velma Barber Prince and Robert Norman William Prince II. He lived a purposeful life marked by ingenuity, adventure, and dedication to family and friends.

Norman spent his early years in Nevada and moved with his family to Houston, Texas, in 1952. He graduated from Lamar High School in 1956 before attending Texas Tech University, where he earned a degree in Mechanical Engineering in 1964.

Norman married Florence Evelyn Hall on May 26, 1961, and they had two daughters, Camille and Shannon. He married June Olive Crossly on July 30, 1988, and they shared 44 years of companionship, adventure, and love.

His career began in 1962 at the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) during the space program's golden era. Over 34 years, Norman contributed to Mercury, Gemini, Apollo, Shuttle, and Space Station programs, specializing in extravehicular activity (EVA) such as life support systems and spacesuit technology. His expertise in problem-solving and system design was instrumental in pioneering innovations that shaped human space exploration. After retiring from NASA in 1997, Norman continued his work on the International Space Station airlock with Dynacs Engineering until 2000. On the side, he ran Prince Air Conditioning and Heating and was the go-to AC guy in the Clear Lake area.

In 2000 Norman and June moved to Breckenridge, Colorado, where they spent 16 active years building cherished friendships. In 2016, they returned to Texas, first Georgetown and then Alvin in 2024 to be closer to family.

A true "mechanic's mechanic," Norman could fix or build anything, from space suits, cars, and boat docks, to carefully crafted wood and metal projects. He shared his talents with friends and families by helping with projects big and small. If he fixed it you knew it was good quality and would last. He organized and created systems to make life comfortable and fun for his family and friends.

Norman had numerous hobbies and interests he enjoyed with friends and family. In his early years, he built a Jeep Willy with his high school friends. He bonded with his friends on deer hunting trips in the Texas Hill country. Waterskiing was a lifelong passion for him, starting in his teenage years and continuing well into his 50s. He competed in waterskiing competitions and shared his love by teaching many friends and family how to ski. He hosted memorable gatherings at "The Cabin" on Lake Travis. For 30 years, The Cabin was a hub of family and friendship, filled with plenty of fun and hard work.

Norman and June shared a love for adventure and enjoyed a variety of activities together, including snow skiing, hiking, scuba diving, marksmanship, camping, and traveling both domestically and internationally. Their journeys took them to China, Europe, South and Central America, Australia, and countless campgrounds across the United States. Wherever they traveled or lived, they formed lasting friendships. As avid cyclists during their time in Breckenridge and Georgetown, they often took their bikes on the road, joining their camping crew for rides throughout the country.

Even with his many activities, family time was an important part of Norman's life. He and June hosted family at their home in Breckenridge and attended birthdays, graduations, weddings, grandkids' sporting events, and everyday moments. He found joy in his mom's cooking, his dogs, Mexican food, BBQ, and sweet treats like Oreos, ice cream, and cherry pie. Norman also had a lifelong passion for the Wild West, often wearing cowboy hats, boots, and belts while enjoying movies, shows, and stories about life on the frontier. He was a fan of country western music, especially Willie, Waylon, and The Boys.

Norman was preceded in death by his parents, Lois Velma Barber Prince and Robert Norman William Prince II. He is survived by his wife, June Olive Prince; his sister, Karolyn Prince Mercer; his daughters, Camille Prince Finn and Shannon Prince (Tim Giesen); and his stepdaughters, Belinda Olsen (Erik Olsen) and Tiffany Cole (Eric Cole). He was also grandfather to Brendan Finn, Brian Finn, Kristin Finn, Ben Giesen, Levi Giesen, William Allday (Piper Allday), Forrest Allday (Alyssa Allday), Alexis Olsen, Zachary Olsen, Zoe Cole, and Brice Cole and his dog Tillie.

Norman will be remembered as a loyal friend, engaged father and grandfather, and a man whose legacy of ingenuity and resourcefulness continues to inspire those who knew him.

A celebration of life will be held on February 8 from 12 noon to 2 PM at Bella Vita Clubhouse 1548 North Riviera Circle Pearland, TX 77581. Instead of flowers, donations can be made to Tunnel to Towers Foundation https://t2t.org/donate/.