Roll Call Tribute

Joseph Robert "Bob" Norman, Jr. 

September 25, 1946 - December 22, 2025 

Joseph Robert (Bob) Norman, Jr. was born on September 25, 1946, in Freeport, Texas, and passed away peacefully after a long struggle with cancer on December 22, 2025, surrounded by his family.

He is survived by Susan Henry Norman, his beloved wife of 55 years, daughter Susan Elizabeth Norman, son Robert and his wife Adrianne Norman, grandsons Michael Nester and Truitt Denman, and great-grandson Jonah Nester. The oldest of seven children, he is survived by Bettie and husband Joe Greer, Becky and husband Ernie Cagle, Beth Norman Imperatore, Barbara and husband Mark Slanis, Bruce and wife Leslie Norman, and Bridget and husband Chuck Lewellen. He will be missed by his fourteen nieces and nephews and nineteen great-nieces and nephews.

Bob graduated from Brazosport High School in Freeport in 1964 and graduated from Texas A&M University with a degree in chemical engineering in 1968. He joined the US Navy in 1970 where he met Susan, his best friend and the love of his life. After training in Newport, Rhode Island, and Port Hueneme, California, he was assigned to Amphibious Construction Battalion (ACB) 2 in Little Creek, Virginia. After leaving the Navy in 1973, Bob built a distinguished career in the chemical and engineering industries. He worked for The Dow Chemical Company for 25 years across Texas and Louisiana operations. Bob continued his work in Plant Operations and Ethylene Technology, contributing his knowledge to Jacobs Engineering, Westlake, Bechtel, Linde and Technip. He thoroughly enjoyed consulting for Cliff Knight of Knighthawk Engineering, valuing both the work and the professional camaraderie it brought.

In retirement, Bob devoted himself to a passion project close to his heart: fostering and facilitating adoptions of Rhodesian Ridgebacks. He could often be seen walking or bicycling through the neighborhood with three or more dogs, training and playing with them at local dog parks, or happily driving them around town. His love for these dogs was an extension of his generous spirit and quiet dedication to caring for others.

Bob’s faith was central to his life. He was an active member of St Laurence Catholic Church in Sugar Land, where he served as an Extraordinary Minister of Holy Communion, and participated in the men’s Bible study, building strong friendships grounded in faith, service and fellowship.

Above all, Bob was devoted to his family. He led with kindness and quiet strength, loving his children in a way that reflected his deep faith in God and modeling what it meant to honor one’s spouse and live with integrity. His grandchildren and great-grandson brought him immense joy, and he took great pride in the family he and Susan shared.

Bob will be remembered for his steady presence, wisdom, dry humor and calm confidence. He was a man who showed up fully, loved deeply and lived faithfully.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Joseph R. (Jack) Norman, Sr. and Vivian Broussard Norman.

Visitation and Rosary will be held on Tuesday, January 20, from 5:00 to 8:00 pm at Davis Greenlawn Funeral Home in Rosenberg, Texas.

A funeral Mass will be held on Wednesday, January 21, 2026 at 10:00 am at St. Laurence Catholic Church in Sugar Land, with a reception immediately following in the Parish Hall. Interment will be at Greenlawn Memorial Park at 1:30 pm.

In lieu of flowers, the family has requested donations be made to the Tunnel to Towers Foundation (t2t.org). 

Arrangements are under the direction of Davis-Greenlawn Funeral Home.