Ernest Eden Norris Jr. ’45

2E died of a massive coronary on July 21, 1992 at the Princeton Club of New York. He and Alice had just enjoyed a weekend reunion with children and grandchildren in New York. In light of repeated heart surgery in 1989, his death was not unexpected and was fortunately sudden.

2E entered Princeton from Lawrenceville, following the footsteps of his brother Frank '29. He was a member of Cottage Club and V.P. of Triangle. He served as a Marine nightfighter pilot in the Pacific theater, and then returned to Princeton to graduate cum laude in history in 1947. That year he married Patricia Shibley, from whom he was divorced in 1961, and he later married the former Alice Wagner, who survives him.

2E had a most successful career in the advertising world, beginning as a copywriter at Benton & Bowles and retiring in 1980 as executive V.P. at B.B.D.O. One of his major marketing achievements was Campbell's Chunky Soup, acknowledged as the most successful new product in Campbell's history,

2E was born in St. Louis, but spent his boyhood in Washington, D.C. After retirement, he and Alice moved to John's Island, Fla., where he performed extensive public service on the boards of local charities, educational institutions, and several corporations, while spending offhours on the golf course, ever in pursuit of the perfect game.

Tragedy struck in successive years, with the loss of his son Brian in 1984 and of his stepson Robert in 1985.

At his services in Florida, some 700 attendees paid tribute to an individual whose wit, wisdom, and generosity had touched them all.

2E leaves Alice; his son Ernest E. Norris Ill '72; two stepsons, Phillip Sunkel III and Sean Sunkel; a granddaughter; and two stepgrandsons; to all of whom the Class expresses its deep sympathy.

The Class of 1945