E. Norman Carlson Jr. ’50

Norm died May 14, 2005, in his hometown of Webster Groves, Mo.

A series of illnesses deprived him of fulfilling his promising potential, but at our 50th, Norm concluded that he was "a happy man and would repeat the next 50 years the same way."

He came to Princeton from Webster Groves High School, where he was an outstanding athlete. He played football and basketball his freshman year. He transferred to the Naval Academy the next year, graduated as an ensign in 1951, and served two Korean tours of duty. Norm resigned from the Navy in 1955. He returned to St. Louis, where he taught math and coached in high school until 1961, when he suffered a nervous breakdown.

Norm had three children from his first marriage, which ended in divorce in 1964. He married Elizabeth Thompson, a Panamanian, in 1973. She came to the U.S. after graduating from the University of Panama and taught physical education and Spanish in St. Louis while caring for Norm.

Though Norm left us after his freshman year, he retained a fondness for Princeton. Our condolences go to Elizabeth and his five children, including Leonore '07.

The Class of 1950