Richard W. Norton

RICHARD W. NORTON passed away peacefully at his home in Santa Rosa at the age of 86 on May 2, 2014 after a brave battle with congestive heart failure. He was surrounded by his family and will be missed for his loving smile, uncompromising generosity, and indomitable spirit. Born to William and Gussa Norton in Berkeley, CA, he moved throughout the United States in his adolescence but graduated from Fremont High School in 1946. He enlisted in the National Guard and served during the Korean War. Upon discharge, he enrolled in UC Berkeley and graduated with a degree in Engineering. His first job was with the Bureau of Land Management in Chico, CA but also served a term with the Alameda Flood Control & Water Conservation District. He moved to Santa Rosa in the 1950s and worked as Assistant Chief Engineer for the Sonoma County Water Agency, where he met and eventually married his wife Geraldine. He was instrumental in the design of Spring Lake and the laying of the original Santa Rosa water pipelines during the 1960s. An avid fisherman, skin diver, abalone picker, underwater photographer, and boat enthusiast, he traveled all over the US, Mexico, and Canada following his retirement in 1980. He leaves behind his loving wife of 43 years, Geraldine Norton, daughter Svea Norton, step-son Stephen Sovel (Judy) and the late Rick Sovel, granddaughters Stephannie Mellor (Todd) and Megan Fischer (Michael), and two great-granddaughters Makenzi and Sydni Mellor. Private services were held. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to Memorial Hospice, 439 College Avenue, Santa Rosa, CA 95401. Family assisted by PARENT-SORENSEN MORTUARY & CREMATORY, Petaluma.