Norman Berger Johnsen

Norman Berger Johnsen, 89, passed peacefully in Tucson, Arizona on April 8, 2025, after a brief illness.

A first generation Norwegian-American, Norman was born and raised in Brooklyn, New York, surrounded by his parents Olga Nielsen and Reidar Johnsen, three siblings and 17 cousins. Beginning at a young age and through his teenage years, he worked as a delivery boy, stocking shelves in grocery stores, loading trucks, and delivering mail to ships in the Brooklyn docks. For several years after, he worked for Johnson Brothers Electricians, his father’s company. One of the projects he worked on was installing outdoor lighting at Ellis Island.

Norman graduated from Brooklyn Technical High School and received a Bachelors degree in electrical engineering from Brooklyn Polytechnic. He was hired as a new engineer with Stone and Webster Engineering in Boston, where he met Martha Reddington. He was then given a General Electric scholarship and, after marrying Martha, moved to Chicago earning a Masters of Science in Electrical Engineering from Illinois Tech. His career in electrical engineering included testing, construction, design, system planning and instruction with American Electric Power, before leading him to Tucson Electric Power, where he worked eighteen years and rose to the position of Vice President of System Planning and Pricing.

Norman and Martha lived in Chatham, NJ before moving with their four children to Tucson, Arizona in 1976. They were married for 62 years before she passed away in 2021. He was a devoted husband, father, grandfather and great grandfather. He delighted in his family’s successes and joys and provided comfort and courage when challenges arose. He was also a loyal friend to many, and was truly interested in the opinions and ideas of others. Norman loved a good, enthusiastic conversation around a crowded table.

His extensive research into family history allowed him to re-connect with relatives across the ocean, ultimately resulting in a large family reunion held in Norway. This re-kindling of family bonds continues to enrich the lives of four generations of extended family members.

Norman is survived by his children, Susan Wimmer, Audrey Marshall, Elaine Smith, Norm Johnsen, their spouses Mike, Steve and Ali, grandchildren Sara, Stephen, Trevor, Aly and Amelia, great grand-daughter Kaia, numerous nieces and nephews and their families. He will be greatly missed by them all.

A private Celebration of Life will be held at Norman’s home at Atria Bell Gardens on May 3rd 2025.

Flowers may be sent to Atria Bell Gardens, 6653 E Carondelet Dr, Tucson, AZ 85710. In lieu of flowers, donations may be given to the Community Food Bank of Southern Arizona.