Richard Norton, beloved husband, father, teacher, and mentor, passed away at home in Kentwood, Mich., at the age of 80 on July 26, 2016.
He and his twin brother Bob were born to Ralph and Ruth Norton in Mauston in 1935. He attended the University of Wisconsin for a bachelor’s degree in education and master’s degree in biology, and later obtained a master’s degree in New Testament at Wheaton College in Illinois.
He and his doctor wife Ellen left for Kenya in 1965 and spent 20 years there as missionaries. Richard loved to teach, and his topics ranged from science to New Testament theology to the community supervision of pastors in training. He left a deep impression on his seminary students, as he stayed with them in their rural communities, traveling by public transportation and eating local foods.
He returned to the United States in 1985 and built a life in Grand Rapids, Mich., becoming involved in his church, delighting in being close to his children, and finding other outlets to mentor and serve.
He is lovingly remembered by his wife, Ellen; his six children, Deborah (Jonathan Sledge) Norton, Mark (Michele) Norton, Rebecca (Steven) Jones, Cheryl (Max) Daza, Sandra (Thomas) Leyder and Susan (Stephen) Kepley; his 20 grandchildren and 19 great-grandchildren; and his siblings, Bonnie (Roger) Gustafson, Robert (Jeanne) Norton, and Donna Thorson.
A celebration to honor his life will be at Crossway Community Church at 11 a.m. Saturday, Sept. 3. Burial will be in Glendale Cemetery in Kendall.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations can be sent to Crossway Community Church at 3950 SE Burton St., Grand Rapids, MI, 49546, or to Africa Inland Mission, P.O. Box 3611, Peachtree City, GA 30269-7611. Share memories with the family at www.zaagman.com.
