Richard "Dick" Norman

Long-time Mayo High School biology teacher and track coach Richard (Dick) Norman, 90, died November 21, 2025.

Dick was born November8, 1935 in Montevideo, MN to Rowland and Gertrude (Branum) Norman and graduated from Granite Falls High School in 1953. In 1957 he earned his Bachelor's degree in biology from St. Olaf College where he was a four year member of the football team. Later in his career he earned two advanced education degrees from the University of Minnesota and UW La Crosse.

Dick began his teaching/coaching career in 1957 at St. Croix Falls High School. It was here where he met his future wife Gloria who was an English teacher at the high school. They married in May of 1959. Three months later they moved to Kaiserslautern, Germany where he was hired to teach at the U.S. Army base. While in Germany Dick had his first opportunity to attend the Olympic Games, the 1960 summer games in Rome, Italy. In 1964 he began his career with the Rochester Public Schools as a biology teacher and was part of the inaugural faculty that opened Mayo High School. From 1966 until he retired in 1993, Dick proudly wore the green and gold as Mayo's head track coach. Highlights of his stellar coaching career include multiple conference and regional championships. He was fortunate to have during his tenure state champion sprinter Mark Lutz on his team, who later competed in the 1976 Olympic Games in Montreal, Canada which Dick was able to attend.

Dick received multiple coach of the year and hall of fame honors throughout his career including induction into the Minnesota Coaches Association and the Rochester Quarterbacks Club. He established the first Mayo Invitational track meet in the 1970's and in 1995he was honored by the renaming of the meet in his name. He was instrumental in getting the 9 lane all-weather track installed at Mayo and spearheaded the construction of permanent bleachers and lighting to make the Mayo High School facility the top notch site it is today.

In addition to his coaching career he was a problem solver, innovator and entrepreneur. Dick never stopped working on ways to improve the sport of track and field. In the 1970's he started RGN Track Supplies and later he was awarded two trademarks and two patents for his innovative designs. One patent was for a laser measuring device used for long throw events at track competitions. His laser is still in use at all Mayo High School track meets every spring. His hammer throw conversion ring was selected to be used in competition at the 1996 Summer Olympics in Atlanta.

What a thrill it was for Dick to see the device he designed in use at the Olympic Games. From attending his first games in 1960 in Rome, to witnessing the 2004 Games in Athens, Greece, Dick never lost his Olympic spirit and relished all six of the Olympics he was able to attend. He was an avid pin collector and told wonderful stories about trading pins with athletes from all over the world.

Dick is survived by his four children: Eric (Karen), Signe Walker (Tom), Hal (Kathleen), and Todd (Janice); seven grandchildren: Sijne, Soren, Janek (Lexi), Hannah (Chase), Emily, Ethan and Alex; one great grandchild: Quincy.

Dick was preceded in death by his wife of 59 years, Gloria, his sister Ann and brother David.

A memorial service celebrating Dick's life will be held on Friday, December 12th at 1:00 pm at Gloria Dei Lutheran Church.

In lieu of flowers, memorials and condolences maybe directed to the Gloria Dei Lutheran Church, 121212th Ave NW, Rochester, MN 55901.