David C. Norman

David Norman, age 80, died January 24, 2019. He was preceded in death by his wonderful wife of 42 years, Jane; parents, Clinton and Marguerite Norman; stepson, John Hawes Kilbourne, aunts, uncles, cousins and his four legged buddies, Fudd, Einstein and Chipper. He is survived by son, Scott (Donna) of Burnet, TX; stepdaughter, Canaan Caesar of Fairborn, OH and four grandchildren, Jarrin, Erin, Molly and Aeden.

Dave was born May 5, 1938 in South Kingston, RI, but grew up in East Greenwich, RI, where he graduated from high school as class Salutatorian and a National Merit Scholar. Dave as an Eagle Scout and a member of Order of the Arrow. After high school, he graduated from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (RPI) with a Bachelor of Aeronautical Engineering. He was inducted into Tau Beta Pi (National Engineering Honorary) and Sigma Gamma Tau (National Aeronautical Engineering Honorary). While at RPI, he became interested in the college radio station (WRPI) and became business manager. He raised the money to buy a new transmitter and antenna to double WRPI's coverage area. For this effort, he was inducted into Rho Tau Sigma (National College Radio Honorary).

He accepted a job offer from WPAFB as an Aeronautical Engineer and was assigned to a division that was responsible for USAF cargo aircraft and helicopters. Dave chose helicopters, which was his niche, as this was the beginning of a new technology - the Turrine Powered Helicopter and many technical firsts.

Dave was involved in the engineering development and testing of the UH A/B/C/D/E/F/N, HH-1H, CH-3E, HH-43B, CH-47, HH-53C and HH-60D helicopters; V-22 Osprey; F-15, XC-142, BQM-34 (Vietnam War Drone), DC-130, Advanced Cruise Missles, the UBI Quitous WartHog, and yes, event the Air Force's Space Station (until it was cancelled by Sec. of Def. McNamara).

He developed a new methodology for performance flight testing of helicopters that was adopted by the U.S. Military; for this advancement, he was admitted to Sigma Xi (Scientific Research Honor Society).

He was a group leader of five engineers who re-engineered the A-10 Air Frame. This effort plus the awesome GAU gun, made the A-10 the best close air support aircraft ever. His A-10's saved his son's life in Afghanistan from the Taliban ambush (not many fathers can make that claim).

Dave earned a Master's Degree in Engineering Management in 1976.

In the late 1970's, Dave and Jane and family moved to Yellow Springs, where they designed and built a two-story passive solar energy efficient house. At this time, his design was against the building code. The code was updated later to reflect his structural design (coincidence, not result).

While in Yellow Springs, Dave was Cub Master of Pack 78, ran the youth soccer league and was chair of the Environmental Control Commission.

Dave and family traveled extensively, mainly to try one of his "shortcuts"; despite the adage "A trip of 1000 miles begins when Dave says "I have a shortcut".

Dave was a registered professional engineer in Ohio. He was one of the founding members of the Miami Valley Alternate Energy Association. He also was a member of the American Helicopter Society (past secretary and president of the Dayton Chapter), NRA, Huber Heights Tea Party, Nature Conservancy, Sports Car Club of America, Buckeye State Sheriff's Association, Buckeye Trail Association, NARFE and YMCA.

After retiring in 1999,Dave and Jane traveled here and there, including a three month "Shun Piking" trip along the Lewis and Clark Trail, plus many other trips until Jane's health worsened. He was her 24/7 caregiver until her death in 2015.

Dave lived his life the way he wanted to; good, bad or indifferent. No one could ever say that Dave, on his deathbed, would utter "I wished I spend more time at the office".

Family will receive friends from 10-11 AM on Thursday, January 31, 2019 at Newcomer North Chapel, 4104 Needmore Rd. where a funeral service will begin at 11 AM.

Dave will be cremated, his ashes mixed with Jane's and interred at Lakeland Hills Park Cemetery, Burnet, TX. "Together Forever"

To share a memory of Dave or leave a special message for his family, please click on the Share Memories button above.