Norman Haw Quan

Norman Haw Quan, a dedicated engineer, loving husband, and father, passed away on October 19, 2026, just days shy of his 92nd birthday, having lived a remarkable life defined by resilience, curiosity, and deep devotion to his family.

Born in China on October 28, 1934, Norman’s early childhood was shaped by geopolitical turmoil. At the age of five, as the Japanese army invaded and moved south toward Shanghai, Norman's father took decisive action to safeguard the family, relocating them to Macao, then Hong Kong, and ultimately to the United States. In April 1940, Norman arrived in Los Angeles with derivative U.S. citizenship, later becoming fully naturalized at age 21.

Growing up in Los Angeles, Norman attended Manual Arts High School from 1949 to 1952. He continued his education locally at UCLA from 1952 to 1956, where he earned his Bachelor’s degree in Engineering. Driven by a lifelong passion for learning, he pursued graduate studies, later transferring to USC to complete his Master’s degree in Electrical Engineering in 1960.

In 1957, during a trip to San Francisco, Norman met the love of his life, Helen. The two were married in 1959, beginning a beautiful partnership that would span 67 years. In September 1965, Norman and Helen settled into their family home in Palos Verdes, creating a stable, nurturing foundation where they would raise their three children and build a life together over the next six decades.

Norman entered the workforce at a time when engineers were in high demand, beginning a distinguished 15-year career at Northrop. He spent his first four years participating in ground-based hardware designs, followed by 11 years dedicated to airborne digital computers. His cutting-edge work included designing the last three Northrop computers, each utilizing different solid-state electronic technologies.

In 1971, Norman brought his expertise to Xerox, beginning as a design engineer on the central processing section, working on the mainframe that served as the heart of a mid-size computer. Working alongside a highly experienced, collaborative team of senior staff, Norman thrived. His transition to Xerox opened a rewarding new career path into management, where he served until his retirement in 1993.

Despite the demands of his career, Norman always prioritized his family and shared his passion for exploration with them. In 1974, 1976, and 1978, Norman packed up the family for ambitious, two-to-three-week cross-country camper van road trips. Together, they visited numerous national parks, campgrounds, and historic sites; journeys that provided a lifetime of cherished memories for his children.

In retirement, Norman fully pursued his lifelong ambition to see the world. His extensive travels took him across Europe, Asia, Africa, North and South America, and remarkably, even to Antarctica. These global adventures perfectly reflected Norman’s enduring desire to learn, grow, and explore.

Norman is survived by his beloved wife, Helen Quan, and his cherished children: daughter Tara Ploof and sons Matthew Brett Quan and Mark Quan.

His intellect, gentle steadfastness, and the rich legacy of his journey from a child immigrant to an accomplished American engineer and patriarch will be deeply missed by all who knew and loved him.