Norman P. Rousseau ’57

Norm came to Princeton from North Adams, Mass. After graduating as an engineer and fulfilling an ROTC obligation, he attended Harvard and NYU law schools. At Princeton, he was a freshman fencer, played 150-pound football, served as an Orange Key tour guide, and was treasurer of Dial Lodge. His senior-year roommates were Bruce Woodger, Howard Gordon, and George Thomas.

Norm met Jean at Princeton; they were married for 62 years. He was an attorney for Kodak, then moved to Los Altos, Calif., to work three decades for Syntex, handling intellectual-property law.

With their family of five children, Norm and Jean took regular road trips, often to Canada, the children in the back of their car, luggage atop. Charmed by Chappaquiddick Island while visiting Bruce Woodger, the Rousseaus bought a vacation home there, an annual lure for 35 years.  

Beside family and church, Norm’s joys were playing the piano, from classical to show tunes; talking politics and history at the dinner table; and writing poetry, which he published in two volumes. 

Norm died May 26, 2022, after a year of declining health. He is survived by Jean, four children, and 10 grandchildren.