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1925
2013
NORMAN SMITH BEYER Norman Smith Beyer, age 88, Penney Farms, Florida . March 13, 1925 - August 7, 2013 Norman Smith Beyer, husband, father, grandfather, scientist, musician, artist and world traveler, passed away on August 7, 2013, following complications from surgery. Norman lived with his family in Elmhurst, from 1958-1976 and again from 1986-1998. Norman is survived by his devoted wife of 61 years, Ann (Voltmann); his loving children, Eric (Patricia Ann) Beyer of Chicago, Todd (Yvonne) Beyer of Yorktown, Virginia, and Lenore (Bill) Beyer-Clow of Woodstock, Illinois; his adoring grandchildren, Alicia (Dave), Brian, Melissa, Rebecca, Timothy, and Emily; and many beloved cousins, nieces, and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents and uncles. Norman was born in Hammond, Indiana, to Norman A. Beyer and Dorothy Smith. He studied and taught at numerous colleges including Baldwin Wallace College, Renselear Polytechnic Institute, Illinois Institute of Technology, Purdue University and Williams College. He enlisted into the Navy as an ensign during World War II. Norman was an accomplished radiation physicist and specialist in nuclear safeguards who held a patent and a share of the 2005 Nobel Peace Prize which was awarded jointly to International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) "for their efforts to prevent nuclear energy from being used for military purposes and to ensure that nuclear energy for peaceful purposes is used in the safest possible way. " His work for IAEA took him around the world. He opened the Japan office of the IAEA in 1980. He also worked at Bell Aircraft, Argonne National Laboratory, and the National Bureau of Standards. A scientist by profession, Norman was an artist at heart. He played several reed instruments, especially the clarinet, in local bands and orchestras wherever he lived, including the Sunshine Band at Penney Farms. He proudly sang in many church choirs. He was an avid travel and nature photographer. He was a patron of the arts, who loved attending concerts, opera, and theater and enjoyed art and literature. He truly appreciated fine wines and gourmet food. Norm and Ann travelled extensively throughout the world, especially when they lived in Austria and Japan. Norm will most be remembered by his kind, engaging personality, warm sense of humor and never ending joy of learning and discovery. He was a good friend, a loving patriarch, and an involved and interested member of the community. He served on the Penney Retirement Community Board of Directors and on many other committees. A Memorial Service will be held in Penney Farms, Florida on Saturday, October 19, 2013, at 3:00pm at Penney Memorial Church. In lieu of flowers, memorials can be made to either Penney Memorial Church Commemorative Programs, P.O. Box 354, Penney Farms, FL 32079, or the Norman S. Beyer Memorial Fund at Openlands, c/o Openlands, 25 E. Washington, Suite 1650, Chicago, IL 60602, or http://www.openlands.org/tribute-gift or by calling: 312-863-6273.
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