Norman H. Richards
May 28, 1929 to November 7, 2014
Norman “Norm” H. Richards, 85, passed away peacefully on November 7, 2014 in Santa Cruz.
Norm spent his formative years in Muncie, Ind. His family moved to San Diego in 1943. He graduated from San Diego High School and then continued his education at San Diego State College and later at DeVry Technical Institute, in Chicago, where he received his 1st class FCC license in 1950.
He entered the U.S. Navy later that year and was stationed in Alameda and Crows Landing in California and, during the Korean War, in Hawaii, Japan, and the Philippines. During his Navy career, he was a seaplane patrol squadron’s radar operator and maintenance tech.
In 1957, Norm was recruited and trained by IBM. He held various engineering positions in the early days of computer operations, manufacturing, and testing. He later advanced to programmer supervisor of information and manufacturing systems.
During his 27 year career at IBM, he worked at their plants in Kingston, N.Y., Santa Monica, Marysville, San Jose, and finally, Tucson, Ariz., where he retired in 1984.
In 1952, Norm married Juliet Christine Garcia in Gustine, Calif., and they raised four children. He later married Judy Teuteberg in Tucson.
Norm enjoyed travel to many states in the U.S. along with many countries in Eastern and Western Europe, Mexico and China. Norm enjoyed working with tools, computers, and audio and photography equipment.
In Tucson, he developed a passion for the University of Arizona’s men’s basketball and became a season ticket holder.
Norm is survived by his wife, Judy Teuteberg Richards of Scotts Valley; daughter June (Scott) Salsbury of Los Gatos; son Michael Richards of Big Sur; son Patrick (Lynn) Richards of Aptos; son Steven Richards of Paso Robles; sister Ann (John) DePalma of Saratoga; brother John David Richards (Myrna) of Garden Grove, and 5 grandchildren: Katie Salsbury and Devon, Harrison, Lilly, and Mia Richards.
Norm’s family want to express their sincere appreciation to the Gryspos family of Alexandria Victoria in Santa Cruz for their loving, kind and compassionate care during the final months of his life.
Norm was a sweet and charming gentleman who will be greatly missed by all who knew and loved him. A private celebration of Norm’s life was held.
If you would like to send your condolences to Norm’s family, share a memory or photo, or light a candle please visit www.scmemorial.com.
