Robert Arnold Norton
Marriages
Marcia
Burial Details
Obituaries
Grand Junction Daily Sentinel page 7 B Obituary - January 4, 2017
Robert Arnold Norton
May 19, 1932 - December 26, 2016
Known affectionately as "Bob" to his friends, and "Papa" to his family, he died quietly at home after a long battle with deteriorating health. He was 84 years old.
Bob was born in Washington D.C. on May 19, 1932, the only child of his parents, Kenneth and Rosalind Norton.
Bob grew up there; however after WWII, had an opportunity in high school to spend a
summer working on a surveying crew in Wyoming and
Montana. That summer would change his life forever, when he
found his passion in the mountains and the West. Soon
thereafter he decided to attend the University of Colorado,
where he graduated with both his bachelor’s and master’s
degrees. It was at college where he met the love of his life and
wife of 60 years, Marcia. His parents soon joined him in
Boulder, when Kenneth transferred to the newly commissioned
National Bureau of Standards. Bob was an Algebra teacher and
spent 33 years teaching at Baseline Junior High School before
he retired in 1988.
Bob loved the mountains, backpacking and fishing extensively
all over Colorado, Wyoming and Montana whenever he could
find the opportunity to do so. Bob was a veteran and served his
country in the National Guard. He and Marcia both retired from
teaching and moved to Grand Junction in 1995, where they
enjoyed their loving friends and family.
Bob is survived by his daughter, Julie (Peter) Boomgaard of
Grand Junction, Colorado; son, William (Bridget) Norton of
Richmond, Texas; granddaughter, Natalie Boomgaard and greatgrandson, Samson McCaleb of Grand Junction, Colorado;
grandson, Mark Boomgaard of Houston, Texas; grandson, Tyler
(Shannon) Norton and great-grandson, Elliot of Austin, Texas,
and grandson, Grant (Liz) Norton of Houston, Texas.
Bob was always optimistic, friendly, outgoing, took the time to
listen, and was incredibly encouraging to those around him. He
was persistent, patient, and genuinely one of a kind. He is dearly missed already.
His wife, Marcia, preceded him in death this past February. It
is comforting to know that he is peacefully resting and that he
has been reunited with her once again!
A celebration of his life will be held at Martin Mortuary on
Saturday, January 28, 2017, at 3:00 p.m.
