Norman Earnest Dodge

Norman died of metastatic prostate cancer on June 1st in Lacey, Washington. 

Norman was born on June 6, 1940 the eldest child of Earnest and Ruth (Sumner) Dodge.   

He graduated from Roosevelt High School, attended Everett Junior College, Clark Junior College and the University of Washington. He was employed at the City of Seattle Electrical Engineering Department, working there for 44 years and retiring in 2006. In 1976 and 1990 he was awarded Seattle City Light Employee of the Year. 

Norman married Eileen in 1967. When they found they could not have children of their own they took in foster children – 30 in all, 28 boys and 2 girls. Some of the foster children stayed for a few weeks, some for a few months, some for several years. They also adopted two special needs children.  Norman and Eileen also served as volunteer King County Court appointed advocates for abused and neglected children. 1990 Norman and Eileen received the City of Seattle Mayor’s Award for their outstanding work on behalf of Seattle’s children and youth. 

Norman joined the Boy Scouts in 1949 and maintained membership all of his life. He contributed his time and talents in their programs of Explorer Search and Rescue (both as a rescuer and teacher), Order of the Arrow, Scoutmaster of various troops, and served on the Eagle Scout board of review in Thurston County. His scouting awards include God and Country, Silver Marmot, Vigil Honor in Order of the Arrow, and the Silver Beaver award. He carried an Amateur Radio License and used a CB radio for a number of years in Search and Rescue. For many years in Seattle, Renton and Olympia he taught small boat sailing to youth and adults. 

Genealogy was a passion for Norman. He served 3 years as President of the Olympia Genealogical Society, and enjoyed assisting others searching for their genealogy roots. For several years he was the president the Dodge Family Association, and co-authored a Dodge Genealogy Book published in 2008. For several years he traveled across the United States and Canada attending Dodge family reunions, and traveled to England 5 times to research his family roots. His immigrant ancestor was William Dodge who was born in East Coker, England in 1604 and in 1629 sailed into the Massachusetts Bay Colony at Salem Harbor. Norman was a proud member of the Sons of the American Revolution, first with the Alexander Hamilton chapter and later a charter member of the George Rogers Clark chapter, honoring his ancestor Charles Dodge who fought at the battle of Lexington and Concord. 

Norman is survived by wife Eileen and son James; brother Russell and wife Carol Dodge; sisters Nancy Laybourn, Gail Dimock and husband Lawrence, and Lynne Dodge, as well as many nieces and nephews. Predeceased by his son, Christopher. 

The family thanks the doctors, nurses and health care workers at Kaiser Permanente, Providence St. Peter Hospital, and Envision Hospice Care for their guidance through Norman’s journey of prostate cancer. Most especially we want to thank the owners and staff at McAllister Park Senior Living for their loving and compassionate care for Norman as he transitioned from this life to the next. 

Per Norman’s request there will be no public memorial or celebration of life.