Louis Norman Smith, 60
After a knockdown dragout battle against cancer, artist, teacher, adventurer and blizzard walker Louis Norman Smith rocketed himself out of here at midnight on Aug. 18, 2008.
His creativity, generosity, love of friends, nature, and life endeared him to us all. Norm freely shared his talents, his food, and his listening. He had the art of chat down and was never in a hurry. He wasn’t hung up on money, but rather shared it and always seemed to have what he needed. Normie was able to live in the moment, which is reflected in his art and relationships. No matter what his age, he kept the energy and wonderment of a child.
Norman Smith was born to Martha “Margo” and Louis Smith on Oct. 11, 1947, in Highwood, Ill. His parents believed in his artist’s life and reveled in his uniqueness. Norm’s sister Louise lives in Seattle, Wash., and his brother Ferrell, married to Mimi, lives in Simi Valley, Calif. Their sons Louis and Bryan loved Tio Norm and followed the “call of the Norm.” He was the “draw,” the “carrot” of the family.
Norm’s mischievous nature sparked the glint in his very blue eyes. As a nascent artist, Norm carved nudes in the butter before his parents’ parties, revealed when a guest lifted the silver lid. From there, his artist’s nature mushroomed. His mother Margo owned too many pairs of shoes to keep track of and Norman labeled every box with a caricature of what stood inside. To match his talent with money-making, young Norm worked summers at the country club, painting signs.
In 1974, Norm alit in Sandpoint, joining friends from Steamboat and Denver University. A few years later, he moved into his house, “an eclectic treasure,” which he filled with all of his passions. He planted lilacs, put in a store of herbs and spices, and nursed a good crop of apples from the doddering fruit trees. He was crazy for apples and once carved and costumed a full chess set from his trademark apple-head carvings.
This story of his life is a mosaic from the people who loved him. Born a middle child, he was a facilitator. His gentleness rubbed off on other people and calmed them. Norm had a “complete absence of negativity” and never criticized anything. He was fearless. Even on the toughest, rockiest bike climbs, Norm always had extra to go that little bit farther. He would never give up. He bought a 2008-’09 season ski pass for Schweitzer. Norman embraced the elements, from the 120-degree desert to a Chicago blizzard. He savored sensations and contrasts. Norm marveled at the world. He loved every inch of his cactus collection, gathered from Palm Desert and Mexico.
Skiing, he watched for the untracked, enjoying the climb up as much as the dance down. Last winter he skated the length of MacArthur Lake and passed over a golden-haired beaver swimming below the ice. He was mad for huckleberries. Norm was an inspired artist who “did it for the love and all the right reasons.” He created paintings, wire, wood & clay sculptures, pen & ink sketches and did art restorations. As part of the Winters Snow Sculpting Team, Norm’s innovative approach led them to smoke the competition many times in McCall. This past winter, he rallied with good energy. “Norm is out in a blizzard. Everyone else is under the shelter but Norm’s out there carving, snow blowing sideways.”
Norm Smith called himself “nearly normal.” Some call him Stormin’ Norman. We will call him Norm on Monday, Aug. 25, at 2 p.m. at Schweitzer. It’s a pot-luck. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Bonner Community Food Center. (www.normsmithonline.com)