Lewis S. Norman, Jr.

It is with great sadness we announce the death of our beloved father, General Lewis S. Norman, Jr., “Lew”, of Fairfax, Virginia. He passed away peacefully on Saturday, October 28th, 2023 at the age of 100.

Lew was born in Vancouver, Wash., in 1923, and graduated from Carmel High School, Carmel, California, in 1941, where he was elected the founding senior-class president. He graduated from the U.S. Military Academy, West Point, N.Y., with a Bachelor of Science degree in Military Engineering in 1944, and received a Master of Science degree in Electrical Engineering from the University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Mich., in 1950.

Lew had a distinguished military career lasting more than 30 years. He was a senior pilot. Some of his military decorations and awards include the Legion of Merit, Air Medal, Air Force Commendation Medal with oak leaf cluster, and the Army Commendation Medal, Air and Space Longevity Service Award. He was promoted to the temporary grade of Brigadier General effective Jan. 1, 1971, with date of rank Jan. 1, 1971 and retired from active duty on July 1, 1974.

After retirement, Lew joined Communications Satellite Corporation, where he was the general manager of the communications products division, subsequently, he launched a new Comsat startup; Comsat General Telesystems, where he served as Executive Vice President and General Manager. Lewis was the President of his own consulting company, LS Norman Company, since 1987.

He was a member of the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE), the American Radio Relay League (Ham Radio Callsign WK4M), the National Rifle Association, and Sigma Xi Fraternity.

Lew was the Chairman of the Board of Trustees for Bullis School, Potomac, Maryland, his alma mater, throughout the 1990’s, and facilitated the building and establishment of the state-of-the-art physical fitness center and the school’s first computer network.

Lew married Joan J. Asensio in 1952. They had a rich and loving marriage until Joan passed away from cancer in 1991.

Lew had many interests. He loved spending time with his family and friends, traveling to destinations all over the world, but especially dining out and “loafing” at his home away from home; Hilton Head Island, South Carolina. He was an avid photographer, collecting photographs from his many travels, but he had a special love of African wildlife, and had an extensive collection of photos from his many safaris. He loved to cook, and his family were the lucky beneficiaries of his famous seafood paella every Christmas.

Lew is predeceased by his beloved wife, Joan J. Norman; and his devoted mother, Frances Norman.

Lew is survived by his three loving daughters: Joan J. Hyde and her husband Terry; Kerry L. Jackson; Christine W. Norman and her partner Nelson; his loving brother, Clinton Norman and his wife Jody; as well as his three nieces, two nephews and their spouses, many great-nieces and great-nephews, extended family, and many dear friends.

Lewis was an accomplished, brilliant man, and lived an incredibly rich life filled with kindness, generosity, shared knowledge and an unmatchable ability to help friends and family in need. He was a man with a kind heart and a gentle soul.

He will be greatly missed by his family and his many friends.