Winter 1997

Board member/alumnus Tod Norman dies

J.T. "Tom" Norman, an alumnus and longtime member of the Rose-Hulman Board of Trustees, died Sept. 23. A 1952 chemical engineering graduate, Norman served his alma mater as a member of the Board of Trustees since 1981.

In recent years, Norman served on board committees dealing with student affairs, honorary degrees and board affairs. He played a key role in the Commission on the Future of Rose-Hulman, heading up its Task Force on Admissions and Financial Aid.

"Tom Norman combined strong leadership skills with a warm and caring attitude," President Samuel Hulbert said. "Our college is a better place because of the personal style he brought to his dealings on behalf of his alma mater."

"Tom was a great team player," said Chuck Howard, vice president for admissions. "He always had good ideas, and he was always concerned that we were able to implement new ideas to improve our program."

Rose-Hulman honored Norman in 1978 with an honorary doctorate in engineering.

Norman worked for 30 years at B.F. Goodrich, where he held various executive positions, including president of the company's international division and the general products division. He retired from the position of group executive vice president in 1982.

During his career, he held numerous positions on boards of directors around the world. He was one of the few Americans elected to the board of a Japanese company, Yokohama Rubber Co.

In retirement, he served on the boards of several community organizations.

Besides his Rose-Hulman education, Norman was a graduate of the Advanced Management Program at Harvard University Graduate School of Business Administration.

Survivors include his wife, Dolores; a daughter, Sarah; a son, John; and his mother, Deloressa.