A long-time resident of San Marcos, Robert “Bob” B. Norman, 96, beloved father, grandfather and great-grandfather passed away peacefully in his home on November 8, 2016. He was born on December 29, 1919 in Ringwood, NC to Joseph Hunter and Marie Antoinette (Williams) Norman.
Bob served his country as an Air Force Pilot during World War II. Before being deployed to India, he married the love of his life Lilly Whitaker on May 18, 1943. In India, he was one of the pilots that flew “The Hump” to get fuel to the Flying Tigers. With the loss of the Burma Road, “Flying the Hump” was the only option to re-supply the forces fighting the Japanese from within China. This was one of the most dangerous flying routes at the time. The DC-3 and C47 were the primary aircraft tasked with this operation. After the war, he was stationed in San Marcos at the Navigation School (currently Camp Gary) where he was a pilot instructor and shared his love of flying. After the closing of the school, Bob went to work for the Texas Comptroller’s office from which he retired after many years. He and his wife Lilly were also members of the First United Methodist Church in San Marcos.
Bob is survived by his son Robert B. Norman Jr. and wife, LaVerne of Grand Saline, TX, daughters, Martha Kendrick and husband Bill of Georgetown and Nancy Norman and husband, Robert Gonzalez, MD of San Antonio, 4 grandchildren and 5 great grandchildren.
Private family services will be held at a later date at Whittaker Chapel cemetery in North Carolina.
Memorial donations may be made to the First United Methodist Church Foundation, 129 W. Hutchison, San Marcos, TX 78666
Arrangements by Pennington Funeral Home, San Marcos, TX 78666, 512-353-4311.