Norman Lee Robison

DeWitt, Michigan

Norm was born at home in Lansing, September 15, 1934 (his mother’s 34th birthday), to the late Herbert and Mildred Lamb Robison. He died in Lansing at Sparrow Hospital December 19, 2014 at the age of 80. He attended Millett School, West Junior, and Sexton High School, class of 1952. The next 4 years he attended MSC. This was a very exciting time during which MSC became MSU, joined the Big Ten, and went to 2 Rose Bowls, winning both. Norm went to the first in 1953, winning 28-20 against UCLA on a blocked punt by Ellis Duckett.

After graduating from MSU in 1956, he worked for Dun and Bradstreet and Washburne Travel Agency, before returning to MSU to become a teacher in 1964. He taught 33 years (mostly 5th grade) at Oak Park, Foster, and Mt. Hope Elementary schools. In 1969 he earned his M.A. in Education, also from MSU.

On July 14, 1962 he married the love of his life, Mary Rachel Bishop, and they enjoyed 52 ½ wonderful years together. They raised 4 children, Rand William, Jonathan James, Ethan Edwin, and Rachel Lee. They were also blessed with 7 grandchildren, Nicolas, Nolan, Jack, Macy, Lane, Logan, and Blake. Norm was a longtime member of both Plymouth and Mayflower Congregational Churches. When he asked about singing in the choir, Mr. Klausli suggested he become an usher!

Norm was very active in his community, serving as longtime chairman of DeWitt Parks and Recreation, and also serving on the DeWitt Tree Commission.

Soccer became a passion for Norm after being introduced to DeWitt in 1980. Knowing nothing about soccer, he was one of the first coaches, coaching some of his kids’ teams. He later took a team of Lansing area players to a tournament in Vildbjerg, Denmark. He also played on a men’s team and coached a women’s team. Norm and Mary were 2 of the many parents who fought at a School Board meeting for the inclusion of soccer in the DeWitt athletic program and won! For his many community activities he was recognized as the DeWitt Citizen of the Year in 1994.

After retirement Norm volunteered at Mt. Hope School and at Hospice House of Mid-Michigan where he made delicious meals and desserts. In 2010, he and his wife both won gold medals (in the bench press) in the Michigan Senior Olympics.

Norm and Mary loved to travel, went to weddings in Italy and Japan, took cooking classes in Tuscany and Sicily, and visited many European countries, Japan, and Korea. They also hosted many German students through the Blue Lake Fine Arts Camp international program and Japanese and Korean students studying English at MSU through the home-stay program.

Norm loved his old farmhouse, built in 1847. He painted it 6 times (during summer breaks from teaching). He loved his gardens, cooking, and the DeWitt Library (where he taught cooking classes 6 years).

Norm loved life, his dear wife, his children and grandchildren, and his many friends. He leaves behind an Earth he hopes is a little better for his having been here for the last 80 plus years. He was a blood donor and he had hoped to donate his body to Gift of Life, but due to his last infection he could not. In Norm’s honor memorial contributions may be made to Gift of Life, Transplantation Society of Michigan, 3861 Research Park Drive, Ann Arbor, MI 48108 or to the DeWitt Public Library, 13101 Schavey Rd., DeWitt, MI 48820.

Norm will be cremated and some of his ashes strewn “on the banks of the Red Cedar” to help MSU continue to “grow green”!

A memorial service will be held at Plymouth Congregational Church, 2001 E. Grand River Ave., Lansing at 11:00 am Saturday, December 27, 2014, with a luncheon following. Please feel free to wear green and white!

The family is being served by Gorsline Runciman Funeral Homes DeWitt Chapel.

Memories and condolences may be shared with the family at www.grdewitt.com