Norman Norris Kautz

Norman’s family immigrated in 1885 from Odessa, in the Russian Empire (Germans from Russia) and claimed homestead in Artas, SD. Norman was born on the family farm in their sod house. In 1954, at the age of 17, Norman left the family farm and joined the United States Air Force. He was first stationed at Parks Air Force Base in Dublin, CA and was amazed at the farms and ranches he saw in California, which reminded him of home. Serving four years in the Air Force, Norman then earned a BA in Social Science and Education from San Jose State University in 1962. Wanting to continue to serve his country, he entered Navy Pre-Flight School in Pensacola, FL, then Officer Training School in Brunswick, GA where he became a commissioned officer. He graduated from Pre-Flight School on November 22, 1963; the day JFK was assassinated. In 1967, he moved his family back to California where he was deployed to Vietnam on the USS Oriskany from the Alameda Naval Air Station. Norman served four combat tours in Vietnam as an Electronic Warfare Officer and Navigator flying in the Douglas EA-1F Skyraider. He also served as a training officer and helped develop electronic warfare software for Navy trainer planes. He earned several distinguished medals for his service. Norman retired as a Commander from the Navy on October 20, 1996.

Norman’s passion in life was flying planes. He had a commercial pilot license with instrument rating and was also a certified instructor. He owned several planes throughout his life. He shared his passion with his family and friends, who will remember flying with him and also traveling to air museums and air shows. He loved “goofing” around with his kids, grandkids, and great grandkids. At heart, he was a student of history and loved to travel. He had a knack for striking up lively conversations, storytelling, and jokes. His laughter was contagious. We’ll remember how he spoke German with his parents and sisters, continued his mother’s hobby of scrapbooking life’s events, taking pictures with his Minolta and 8mm camera, making stained glass pictures, building model airplanes, fishing and pheasant hunting in South Dakota, feeding the fish at Lake Mead, and his love for ice cream.

Norman is survived by his sister Phyllis Staebner of Artas, SD; sister Judy (George) Hulscher of Eureka, SD; sister Loretta (Charles) Jenner of Fargo, ND; daughter Pamela (Richard) Horton of Hot Springs, SD; daughter Julie (Kevin) Shaw of Rocklin, CA; son Erik (Amy) Kautz of Roseville, CA; ten grandchildren and eight great grandchildren.

Norman is preceded in death by his parents Tyler and Christina (Schweigerdt) Kautz, brother-in-law Reinhold Staebner, and the love of his life, his wife Mary Janet (Jan) Surber-Kautz.

A private family funeral service will be held at The Southern Nevada Veterans Memorial Cemetery located in Boulder City, Nevada.