Christopher Heald Norman

God’s messenger Christopher Heald Norman was called home on November 20, 2008, after one year of ALS (Lou Gehrig’s disease). Chris saw this year of physical deterioration as his purpose to leave a message for all his loved ones and friends of his gratitude to God, for the life he had lived and to spread His love. This became his goal in the life remaining as expressed in his book “The Grateful Road” and his poetry “The Bridge.”

Chris began his grateful journey in Caracas, Venezuela, during a revolution on October 6, 1959, and lived his childhood in that country. His teenage years were spent in Fallbrook, having graduated from Fallbrook High School in 1976. During these years, he “built loads” at his grandfather’s Fallbrook Lumber Co.

He spent a “Semester at Sea” traveling the world, learning other cultures and making everlasting friends. Chris received his BA degree at American University in Washington, DC, and earned his Masters Degree at the American Graduate School of International Management (Thunderbird). Then back to Venezuela in a corporate capacity for Towers & Perrins Business Consultants for two years.

His 20-year career in the carton and packaging business began with Westvaco in sales in New York, Weyerhauser and Smurfit-Stone in Virginia. Chris was vice-president, sales and marketing packaging for Northwestern Corporation. His home was in Richmond.

Chris is survived by his wife Renee; children Charlie and Clemie; mother and father Nancy and Gene Norman; sister Cathy Norman; uncle and aunt “Otie” and Linda Heald; aunt and uncle Rose Marie and Dave Snyder; his loving 96-year-old “Grammie;” and many cousins and extended family members who loved him dearly.

He touched a multitude of friends’ hearts. He showed us how to live and we are grateful.

Funeral services were held recently in Richmond.