Robert Eugene Norris the son of Paul Burrett and May Davies Norris was born at Blue Earth, MN., on July 5, 1938 and entered into rest at Shenandoah, IA. on March 28, 2016 at the age of 77.
Robert's early life was spent in the towns of Thompson, Storm Lake, and Des Moines, Iowa, graduating from high school at Indianola, Iowa in 1956. He graduated from Simpson College in January of 1961. Bob moved to Bloomington, Il. where he worked in the management program at the Midwest Division of State Farm Insurance. On July 2, 1961 he was united in marriage to Edith Marie Shultz at Marble Rock, Iowa. In 1964 they moved to Des Moines, IA. where Bob entered Law School at Drake University graduating and admitted to the Iowa State Bar in 1968. After graduating Edi and Bob moved to Shenandoah where he joined the law firm of Clovis and Falk, soon to be know as Clovis, Falk and Norris Law Firm. In 1969 Bob was appointed Shenandoah City Attorney, a position he held until his retirement in 2014.
Bob served his country as a member of the Iowa National Guard-3657th Ord Co (D3) November 7, 1955 to November 6, 1958; HQ & Co A 734 Ord Bn November 6, 1958 to April 20, 1960. He received an Honorable Discharge from the United States Army Reserve October 31, 1963.
Bob was active in many civic and community activities: Chamber of Commerce (President 1975), Shenandoah Economic Development Corp. (President 1988-90), Scoutmaster 1968-83, member of First United Methodist Church and AdultSundaySchool Teacher, Shenandoah Rotary Club (Past President), Rotary District Foundation Committee, Paul Harris Fellow, M.A.Y. Mentoring Chair and Advisory Board, Board of Directors for City National Bank (Century Bank), Greater Shenandoah Foundation, Shenandoah Sister City, Page County Endowment Fund and trustee for Cy and Carolyn Rapp Charitable Trust.
Bob received many honors and awards through the years including Eagle Scout, Friend of Youth Award, B.S.A. Silver Beaver Award, Simpson College Alumni Loyalty Award, and Cornerstone Award by City National Bank.He was a proud alumni of Simpson College, and served on the Alumni Council as Chairperson 1983-1984.Additional honors include: Friend of Education, Iowan of the Day at the Iowa State Fair in 2014, and Person of the Year 2014 by the Valley News Today. He and wife, Edi were selected as ShenFest Grand Marshals in 2014.
Bobloved his family, enjoyed photography, reading, the mentoring program, reading to 2nd graders, having coffee with the "coffee guys" at the Sanctuary and traveling.Preceding him in death were his parents, Paul and May Norris, brother Tom Norris, his in-laws, Raymond and Lanora Shultz, brother-in-laws, Earl Shultz and Paul Shultz.
Survivors include his loving wife Edi; son Mike Norris, Papillion, NE. and friend Beth LaFave; sister-in-law, Judy Norris of Franklin, TN.; sister-in-law, Margaret Beck (Reldon) of Las Cruces, NM. Grandchildren areIan Norris of San Antonio, TX., and Sydney Norris of Omaha, NE., Nephews are Joe Beck, Loren (Julie) Beck, Steve (Missy) Norris, Jim (Eunice) Norris.
In lieu of flower memorials may be directed to the First United Methodist Church for Helping Hands Program, Rotary International Foundation, M.A.Y. Mentoring or Fremont-Page County Relay for Life.
Burial will be held at the Rose Hill Cemetery in Shenandoah.