Norman Hugh Smith

Norman Hugh Smith was born September 16, 1930 in Van Nuys, California, the 6th child of Donald Sigsbee Smith and Helen Marguerite Ward Smith. His siblings included 5 brothers and two sisters. Norman attended Van Nuys High School, where his passion was baseball, both as a pitcher and catcher. After attending L.A. Valley Junior College, he enlisted in the Navy during the Korean War, specializing in electronics, spending time aboard the USS Bisbee, the USS Everett and the USS Tucker. Following four years of service and an honorable discharge, he was invited to attend a Sunday service at The Village Church in Burbank, where he committed his life to his Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. Norman then enrolled at what is now Azusa Pacific University, earning a degree in Biblical Literature, in preparation for Christian missionary service. While at Azusa, Norman met and married fellow student Kathryn Rebecca Hauser, of Phoenix, Arizona, a marriage that lasted the remainder of his life. A student athlete, Norman was a standout pitcher and catcher for Azusa, completing a perfect season (11-0) with 3 shutouts in 1959. Within a year of graduation, Norman and Kathryn had been accepted for missionary service with The Gospel Missionary Union (now Avant Ministries) and had moved to Ecuador, where they served for 16 years and reared three boys. Upon returning to the U.S., Norman completed a master’s degree, with highest honors, at Azusa in Biblical Literature and Theology, hoping to teach in a Christian college. Unfortunately, many colleges were folding under the economic pressures of the late 1970s recession, and Norman was unable to secure a teaching position. Falling back on his navy electronics experience, he moved the family to Phoenix, Arizona, to accept an electronics position at Maryvale Samaritan Hospital in Phoenix, where he worked for 22 years. Norman was 92 when he passed away on February 23, 2023 in Phoenix. Norman is survived by his wife, Kathryn, his three sons, Stephen Philip, Jeffrey Alan and Jason Eric, and three grandsons. Norman was preceded in death by his parents, and his siblings, Robert Oliver Smith, Marguerite Dorthy Smith Anesi, Harold Wilbur Smith, Pearl Olive Smith Walker, Paul Austin Smith, Keith Owen Smith and Roger Allen Smith. Norman will be buried at the National Memorial Cemetery of Arizona in a private service. A memorial service will be Held on March,17, 2023 at 2:00pm.