posted 11-25-2015 12:22 PM               

He retired from NASA in 1989 after 33 years. He began his career in the space industry in February 1956 when he joined Wernher von Braun's Army Ballistic Missile Agency (AMBA) in Huntsville, Alabama. Since then, Norman has been a part of every major missile program since: Explorer, Mercury, Gemini, Apollo and Space Shuttle.

In 1962, he transferred to Cape Canaveral Missile Firing Lab (which later became Kennedy Space Center and Cape Canaveral Air Force Station) as the Chief of the Quality Technology Office. In 1970, President Richard Nixon selected Norman with the distinguished NASA Employee of the Year Award for his work on the Apollo program.

In 1979, Norman created a corrosion prevention process saving NASA money and was recognized by President Jimmy Carter.

In 1982, Norman was appointed as the Industry Assistance Officer (IAO) responsible for Small Business Programs, Pre-Award Surveys and Bid Openings. He was requested to speak before Congress in 1983 after discovering an equal opportunity process for recognizing Small Businesses owned and operated by women and minorities. Congress adopted this process onto other Federal Agencies.

In 1989, Norman retired from NASA but remained an active volunteer with NASA Public Affairs supporting VIP tours. Norman was a member of Cape Canaveral Missile, Space and Range Pioneers, NASA Alumni Association and the National Space Club.