I first met Bob in late ’70s or early ’80s, just about the time I created TRADITIONS on WFDU. Bob was an enthusiastic supporter of WFDU and our Music America format, and I remember many wonderful conversations with Bob at various concerts that the station presented as well as bumping into him at places like Speak Easy, where he was involved with the Fast Folk group. Bob was the editor of Sing Out! Magazine from 1970 through 1977 – a time when folk music was being ignored by the numerous changes taking place in the commercial music industry. Thanks to Bob, Sing Out! remained an important voice in our community, and he helped make folk music accessible to future generations.

His last appearance on my show was about one year after 9/11. He sang a very moving song about what he saw that terrible day – a day he spent on a train that was supposed to head into the city, and he watched the towers fall from that vantage point. He lived for many years in Manhattan, before moving with his wife and son to New Jersey. Bob kept the spirit of the city and the active community he was involved with very close to his soul. His music reflected his observations of the people and places he encountered, and he sang out when he was something that needed fixed.

My condolences to his wife and son as well as his extended family and friends. Bob Norman made a difference in this world, and he will be missed.

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.