Norman David Stockwell

Norm, age 82, passed away peacefully with the Lord on March 5, 2024, surrounded by family.

The remarkable life of Norman Stockwell, born to Marion and Nelson Stockwell, began in Detroit, Michigan. Norm was their first child. Nels joined the Border Patrol, and in typical Federal fashion, was assigned to the southern gulf region. The family moved to New Orleans, Louisiana where the Stockwell children (Norm, Don and Carolyn) spent their childhood.

Norm graduated from John McDonough HS in 1958. He married Helen Shepard, friend and sweetheart after graduation. They were a team for 66 years, raising four kids and helping them graduate High School, college and form their own families.

Norm earned a BS in Physics from Tulane University in New Orleans. He was accepted into Rice University in Houston, Texas and moved his new family west. After receiving his MS and PhD from Rice University, he was offered a job in San Bernardino, California by the Aerospace Company. The young family moved west again. He enjoyed the work and when the company closed the San Bernardino facility, he moved the whole family, now with four children (Sherry, David, Walter, and Sue) to Los Angeles area to be closer to work. He and his wife bought a home in Redondo Beach.

When he was in his 40’s, he was diagnosed with SMA (spinal muscular atrophy). Signs had appeared when he was 19 but none of the experts could diagnose the condition. Gradually Norm moved into a wheelchair, as he slowly lost control over his legs and feet.

This mysterious disability did not slow down his enthusiasm and interests. Ham radio was a favorite hobby of his; so much so that all four of the children and Helen have their licenses. He built model airplanes and flew them off the Palos Verdes cliffs with his older son, David. He enjoyed picnics, camping, and driving (with hand controls) in the mountains. Kings Canyon was a favorite destination. In 1999, Norm and Helen joined Omnilore, a group of local seniors focused on lifelong learning, without teachers or exams. Norm participated in study groups up until his passing.

Norm is predeceased by his younger brother, Don, his mother and father, and his younger daughter, Susan Kibre.

Norm enjoyed his seven grandchildren; Anna Lafferty, Drew Lafferty, Brendan Lafferty, Tobias Stockwell, Ally Stockwell, Winifred Kibre, and Nathan Kibre; he also enjoyed his many nieces and nephews. Norm loved to encourage the younger relatives to be curious about the world, and especially enjoyed helping them to deconstruct things to understand how they worked.

During his career, Norm worked with groups focused on helping disabled people in the workforce and promoted hiring in business and industry; he showed through personal example that disabilities would not impede work in the business world.

He finally took disability retirement at the advice of his doctors while working at TRW in his 50’s. He used his time and energy enjoying his grandchildren. He organized and ran spiritual retreats with their church. Norm and Helen drove across the country, visiting relatives and friends in Texas, Louisiana, Oklahoma, Tennessee and Maryland. They enjoyed the cross-country travel and found dark areas to see the glorious Milky Way.

Norm was smart, loving, compassionate, creative, gentle, kind and curious about how things worked; a great father, husband, friend, partner, and caring about others. Many people have expressed that they will miss him. The family would like to express their sincere gratitude for the outpouring of love, support, and condolences during this difficult time.

Family and friends are invited to a memorial service May 4, 2024 at 1PM hosted by the First United Methodist Church of Redondo Beach on 243 S. Broadway Street.