Robert Jackson Norwine

Born March 31, 1924 to Olin Dale and Lucille (Kingsland) Norwine in St. Louis, Missouri, Mr. Norwine resided in St. Louis until college. He graduated from University City High School, and was a citywide badminton champion, before attending Miami of Ohio to play basketball. He was invited as a pitcher to play for the St. Louis Cardinals before World War II broke out.

Mr. Norwine served in the Navy during World War II as Secretary to the Admiral for the Pacific arena, and played on baseball teams formed to boost morale for enlisted men, in 1943-46. He returned to graduate from Westminster University in Fulton, Missouri where he also served as Dean of Admissions and the baseball coach. He was a member of Beta Theta Pi Fraternity at Westminster.

At an Admissions Fair in early 1953, Mr. Norwine sat next to an admissions representative for Wesleyan University in Middletown, CT, and soon after Wesleyan President Vic Butterfield hired Mr. Norwine to “revolutionize” recruitment strategies and the admissions process. Mr. Norwine stayed in that position from 1953-1963, until he was hired by New College President George Baughman to select the first class for the fledgling New College in Sarasota. Mr. Norwine was credited with a savvy approach to recruiting students to a college challenging the Ivy League schools for admissions by targeting students from the Midwest and rural areas. Mr. Norwine would also serve as the Dean of Students at New College from 1965-67.

After his time in education, Mr. Norwine became a real estate broker until his retirement. He was the recipient of the Distinguished Alumnus Award from Westminster College in 1966. He was a member of the National Association of Realtors, Florida Association of Realtors, Sarasota Board of Realtors, the National Association of College Admissions Counselors where he was a Director and Vice President (1951-1955), and the Commodore for the Bird Key Yacht Club in 1974. He coached little league baseball for many years in Sarasota.

He is survived by his wife, Betty Straub Norwine of Sarasota; children Kerry Dunning of Jacksonville, Terri Herschman of Sarasota, Greg Stockton of Venice and Dale Norwine of Sarasota; niece Cathy McDonald of Sarasota and sister, Jean Krueger of St. Louis, MO. Mr. Norwine has 8 grandchildren, Kimberly Grovijohn of Cumming, GA, Chandler Dunning of Bridgehampton, NY and West Palm Beach, Corby Herschman of New York City, Taylor Norwine of Nan, Thailand, London Stockton, Venice, Amy Stockton of Cambridge, MA, Bryan Norwine, Sarasota and Nicole Norwine, Sarasota; and nieces Kira McDonald of New York City and Jennifer McDonald of Sarasota. He has three great-granddaughters, Emma, Lacy and Alyssa Grovijohn all of Cumming, GA and a grand-nephew, Jaya McDonald from Sarasota.

Mr. Norwine is predeceased by a son, Kyle Norwine; and a sister, Mim Root.

Final arrangements are being made, including a remembrance gathering of his family at a later date.