Bob Norman, who edited Sing Out! from 1970 to 1977, died on Sunday, May 4th, after a long battle with prostate cancer.
A songwriter and singer, Bob had 4 recordings to his credit and a 30+ year career touring and sharing his music. His gentle and relaxed demeanor belied the passion he maintained for his family and friends, as well as the broader world around us … always a central focus of his life’s work and mission.
The early 1970s weren’t the most popular period for Sing Out! (or folk music), but the stew of traditional music with politics that was emblematic of his tenure at Sing Out! was a real inspiration, and his friendship and guidance through the years, including nearly service on the Sing Out! board until 1990, was indisputably a guiding forces in helping to retool Sing Out!’s work. It’s safe to say that without Bob’s steady hand, bridging the “old” Sing Out! and the “new” one, we simply would not have been able to continue through to today.
Below is the official obit from the family:
Bob Norman, 61, of Lawrenceville died on Sunday at his home of metastatic prostate cancer.
Born in New London, CT, he was a Lawrenceville resident since 1994 after living in New York City for 30 years. Bob graduated form Columbia University in 1969 with a degree in English Literature Bob had been a copy editor for Business Week Magazine for twenty years, but his passion and true vocation was music. He was a well-known singer/songwriter folksinger locally and across the country for over 30 years. From 1970 to 1977, he was editor-in-chief of Sing Out!, and was on its board until 1990. His CD titles include: Romantic Nights on the Upper Westside; To the Core; Love, Lust, and Lilacs; and Time Takin’ Man. His music fused varied influences of blues, country, contemporary folk, and classical guitar writing about topics ranging from the streets of New York to local life in Lawrenceville.
Son of the late Victor and Francis (Sharaf) Norman and brother of the late Jon Norman, he is survived by his wife Clara Haignere, his son Samuel Norman-Haignere, his nephew Daniel Norman, and his nieces: Forest Cattich and Martina Norman Botinelli.
Funeral services will be held on Wednesday at 11 AM at Poulson & Van Hise Funeral Directors, 650 Lawrence Road, Lawrenceville. Burial will be in the Lawrenceville Cemetery. The family extends an invitation to friends to come to their home at K18 Shirley Lane, Lawrenceville after the burial. A memorial service will be held on May 17th at a time and place to be determined.
In lieu of flowers, please tax-deductible donations can be made to Sing Out! Magazine (P.O. Box 5460 Bethlehem PA 18015) or to the Westminster Conservatory Young Artist’s Program. Check should include a note that it is for the Young Artist’s Program in Memory of Bob Norman to Westminster Conservatory, Attn Sandra Franc, 101 Walnut Lane, Princeton NJ 08540.
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