Norris Dean Loeffler

Norris Dean Loeffler, 75, of Austin, Texas died Sunday, August 31, 2008 of natural causes. Born in Mason, TX December 18, 1932 to S. M. and Esther Emma Witt Loeffler, he spent most of his childhood in Sonora, TX. He graduated from Sonora High School in 1950. He attended the University of Texas where he received a Bachelor of Journalism degree in 1954. That year, he married Martha Renfroe, also of Sonora, TX with whom he had three children. Norris was a reporter with the Kilgore (TX) News Herald for a year before returning to Austin to become the editor of "The Texas Landsman" magazine for the Texas Real Estate Association from 1955 to 1966. From 1966 to 1975, he worked in various roles as a freelance editorial consultant for numerous business associations, development director for St. Stephen's School in Austin, information specialist for the International Biological Program based at the University of Texas, and biographer of George Washington Littlefield in anticipation of UT's renovation of the Littlefield Mansion. From 1975 to 1979, he was the communications director for the UT School of Social Work. He was co-owner of Second Childhood, a costume rental business, from 1979 to 1990 with his second wife Ann Lind of Georgetown, TX. He returned to the UT School of Social Work in 1990 until retiring in 2003. A member of the International Association of Business Communicators since 1955, Norris served the organization at all levels, including as president of IABC/Austin 1979-1980. In 1980 he was designated a lifetime member of IABC/Austin and IABC/District 5. He was also a long-time member of the University United Methodist Church, serving on many committees and teaching Sunday school. A life-long supporter of the performing arts, he was particularly fond of ballet and dance which he had studied as a young man. Norris is survived by his brother and sister-in law Carlos and Nancy Loeffler of Bellville, Texas; his son and daughter-in-law Mark Loeffler and Susan Brady of North Haven, CT; son and daughter-in-law Lyn Loeffler and Patsy Hickey of Austin; and daughter and son-in-law Lisa and Mark Stuckey of Austin; as well as four grandchildren; Sarah and Ryan Loeffler and Rachel and Megan Stuckey. A memorial service will be held at 1:30 p.m. on Tuesday, October 14, 2008 at University United Methodist Church in Austin. Contributions may be made in his honor to the Univerisity of Texas School of Social Work at: http://www.utexas.edu/ssw/development/giving.html