Norris Tibbetts

Norris Tibbetts passed away on October 22, 2022, at the age of 101 at his home in Madison.

He was born on August 12, 1921 in Boston MA and lived 2 years in Greenwich NY. His father was a Baptist minister; his mother was active in social and church affairs. The family moved to Chicago in 1923. Norris went to the University Elementary School and High School (class of ’38).

Norris went to college at Harvard, class of ’42. He had a brief connection with Camp William James and the CCC. He enlisted and served for 2 years in the 87th Mountain Infantry Battalion and two years in the 34th Infantry Regimental Combat Team. He saw action in the Aleutian Islands, the South Pacific and eventual occupation of Japan. He received the following campaign ribbons: Asiatic Pacific Theater: three battle stars; Philippine Liberation: 2 battle stars; Presidential Unit Citation; Combat Infantry Badge; American Defense; Victory Medal; Bronze Star; Silver Star and Good Conduct Medal.

After the war he took a job as a mill worker in Allentown PA before becoming a union organizer there and a union representative in Danville VA.

He married Alice May Horton in 1947. Norris, Alice and their two daughters Mary and Ellen moved to Madison in 1954. They had two more children, Steve and Dorothy and a foster daughter, Prudence.

From 1954 to 1983 Norris was an instructor with the University of Wisconsin School for Workers. He volunteered as a church youth group advisor for several years.

Volunteer work after retirement included coaching for the Special Olympics, tutoring in Madison schools and teaching English to spouses of foreign students. He delivered Meals on Wheels, receiving an award for 10,000 meals delivered. He volunteered for VA home-based hospital care and the UW Hospital Pediatric Ward. He enjoyed down-hill skiing, fishing, gardening and mountain climbing. He played the guitar and bass fiddle and he and Alice enjoyed getting together with other musicians for informal sing-alongs. Norris and Alice spent summers in Northern NH and VT.

Norris is survived by his sisters Louise Smith and Eleanor Hanrahan, his four children, four grandchildren and two great grandchildren.

He is preceded in death by his wife Alice, sister Priscilla, brother Joel and granddaughter Alice.

A memorial service will be held next summer in Randolph, New Hampshire.

Memorial contributions, if any, should go to the charity of your choice.

Cress Funeral Service

3610 Speedway Rd.

Madison, WI 53705

608-238-3434