Major General Robert W Norris

He was born May 22, 1932 in Birmingham, the son of the late Irene Parker Norris and Hubert Lee Norris Sr. While some may claim that his greatest achievement was serving as the Judge Advocate General of the Air Force from 1985 to 1988, he knew that his greatest accomplishment was wooing Martha Katherine Cummins in his 9th grade biology class at Phillips High School in downtown Birmingham. Without exaggeration, they were soul mates. They married immediately following his graduation from the University of Alabama School of Law in 1955, and shortly thereafter they departed for Amarillo Air Base where he served as a second lieutenant in the Staff Judge Advocate's office.

The next three decades were nothing short of an adventure for them. He was stationed in places as diverse as Alaska, Korea, Nebraska, Hawaii and Washington, D.C. But no matter where he was stationed or what job he assumed, he earned the respect of those he worked for, those he worked with, as well as those who worked for him.

His career was defined by the championing of a wide range of innovations and improvements that would have long-lasting impacts such as the creation of the new main Air Force Judge Advocate General's School facility, the integration of computers into legal offices, the enhanced utilization of paralegals and Air Reserve Component members, and the creation of both the contracts and environmental law division-level offices. He received many awards while he was in the Air Force including the Legion of Merit (twice) as well as the Air Force Distinguished Service Medal. During his time of service he graduated from the National War College and he earned a LL.M. in tax law from George Washington University.

Beyond the exceptional support he received from his beloved wife Martha, his secret sauce was the extraordinarily rare combination of character traits that define the virtuous life as well as a servant-leader. He was humble, generous, patient, kind, fair, hard-working, grateful, disciplined, trustworthy, courageous, and quick to smile and laugh. He benefitted from prioritizing listening over speaking, and when he did speak he chose his words carefully.

These traits not only benefitted his professional career, they defined how he guided his family as a husband and father. He and Martha raised their daughter Lisha and son Nathan with abundant love and support whether they were cheering them on at a game, taking them to church, enjoying a family trip, or simply providing wise advice.

After General Norris retired from the Air Force he served as General Counsel of the Alabama State Bar (1988 - 1995) and as a partner in the Birmingham law firm of London & Yancey, LLC. (1995 - 2002).

His loving wife Martha passed away in 2016, and he is survived by his daughter Lisha Utt (Alex) of Frederick, Maryland, and Nathan Norris (Michelle) of Clermont, Florida; and five grandchildren Bobby, Lex (Taylor) and Thomas Utt, and William P. Norris and Katherine P. Schweinhart (Alex).

A memorial service celebrating his extraordinary life was held on August 20, 2026 at the Arlington National Cemetery where his ashes and the ashes of Martha were interred.