Norman David Stoll

Norman David Stoll, age 96, of Grand Rapids, passed away peacefully in his sleep at Covenant Village of the Great Lakes on Tuesday, August 23, 2011. He was preceded in death by his wife of 56 years, Clarice in 2000 and brothers Donald and Lloyd Stoll…both of Grand Rapids, MI and niece Elizabeth Stoll of Lansing, MI.

Norm began playing tennis at age 8 and played competitive tennis at Northwestern University where he graduated in 1938. He was a tenor saxophone player and formed a 10-man dance band while in college…playing in Chicago’s posh private clubs like the South Shore Athletic Club, Saddle & Cycle Club and the Medina Athletic Club. And his band played aboard the SS Normandy and SS Europa sailing to Europe while attending Northwestern. Norm was a World War II veteran and a member of Faith Lutheran Church for 55 years, where he taught Sunday School, ushered, was the president of the Church Counsel and supported the Lutheran Home. In 1938 he began his business career with Firestone Tire & Rubber and later with Wolverine Brass Works/Citation Companies, ultimately retiring as the Corporate Secretary and Treasurer in 1980. He was President of the West Michigan Credit Managers Association, a mentor to the Junior Achievement organization and one of the founders and president of the Golden Kiwanis Club from 1981-1982. In 1996 the Kiwanis club honored him as a George P. Hixson Fellow. He was also a member of East Hills Athletic Club and Blythefield Country Club in Grand Rapids and a member of the Naples Bath & Tennis Club and Kensington Golf and Country Club in Naples, Florida where he wintered for 30 years.

After retiring, Norm played competitive tennis with the USTA in tournaments across the USA, ultimately earning 2 national doubles championships: the 2006 National Grass Court & the 2007 National Clay Court. In 2000, Norm was invited to play on the USA Tennis Team to compete in the Bill Talbert Cup against the European team in Portschach, Austria. Norm played on the USA team for two years and in 2001 he and partner Barry Scallet won the deciding point to bring the cup back to the USA.

Norm will be kept forever in the hearts of son Richard Stoll (Sandra), daughter Marilyn Swanlund (Walter), grandchildren Jeffrey Spencer (Stacey), Michelle Schaal (Todd), David Stoll (Kathi), Daniel Stoll (Elaine); six great grandchildren Alexandria, Olivia, Clarice, Lucas, Brady and Ben; nephews: Ron (Connie), Gregg (Janet), David (Ely) and Scott (Kathy) Stoll; nieces Francis Fiebig-Gilmore, Barbara Baldwin-Stark, Mary Bridget Stoll and long time dear friend Shirley Kooistra.

Visitation will be at Reyers North Valley Chapel, 2815 Fuller Ave. NE on Friday from 3-6 PM and on Saturday at 9 AM prior to the 10 AM memorial service at Faith Lutheran Church, 2740 Fuller Ave. NE, Grand Rapids. Refreshments following.