Norman R. Burdick was born December 5, 1948 in Edgerton, Wisconsin and left earth to join the kindest souls in heaven on November 5, 2026. His impact on friends, family, and the community of Galesburg brings comfort to everyone he left behind.
He’s survived by his loving wife and best friend of 52 years, Faith Oliver, who he met in 1972 when he went to Colorado to pick up his teenage sister from summer camp. His sister and Faith had become friends. She introduced them, and he married Faith on August 3, 1974. He is also survived by his daughters Flannery (Bradley) Burdick of Colorado Springs, Colorado and Christie Upham (Dez) Draper of Texas; his grandsons, Toby Scott and Thaddeus Jay Florence II; and his siblings, Ken (Ruth) Burdick of Ashaway, Rhode Island and Linda (Gordon) Lawton of Longmont, Colorado, as well as numerous nieces and nephews.
Norman graduated from Milton Union High School in Milton, Wisconsin in 1966 and continued his education at Carleton College in Northfield, Minnesota. He received his BA in 1970. He then served proudly in the U.S. Army from 1970-72 as a sentry dog handler, guarding a missile base in Pennsylvania during the Vietnam War. Following his service, he returned to furthering his education at the University of Wisconsin–Madison, receiving his MA in 1972 and his PhD in 1979. He was hired as a full-time English and speech instructor at Carl Sandburg College the following year and remained for the entire 34 years of his teaching career.
Norm loved so many things: his friends and family, the sentry dog he trained during the Vietnam War, his colleagues at Carl Sandburg College, every single one of his students, his church community at Covenant Church, the wild woods and lakes of Northern Minnesota, the endless wonders of literature, music, and the imagination, and most of all, the resilience of the human spirit.
Norm was a true believer in redemption. No one was unforgivable. No one was unlovable. Kindness, justice, and equity mattered to him deeply, and he was always there to help anyone in trouble, whether it meant a supportive conversation long into the night, a place to stay, a ride to the doctor, or help with groceries.
Norm was a fierce advocate too. During his tenure at CSC, he was actively involved in faculty leadership. He served on numerous committees, introduced a number of successful innovations, and led two successful strikes for the teacher’s union. He advocated for family against insurance megaliths. He did whatever in his power it took to protect people who were vulnerable from harm. His belief in the power of education and advocacy was contagious.
Norm tucked his pants into his socks to ward off ticks on hikes. He sang silly songs like “Hey Mister Moose” off key on family road trips. Every surface of his car’s interior was covered in coffee stains. His clothes were rumpled and his hair wild: the perfect absentminded professor. Please remember him. He’s still teaching us all from inside the little spaces he made in each of our hearts.
Visitation will be held from 4:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m., Friday, November 13, 2026 at Hinchliff Pearson West Funeral Home, Galesburg Chapel. His memorial service will be held at Covenant Church in Galesburg, IL on November 14 at 11 am. A light luncheon and time for fellowship will follow the service. Memorials may be made to OSF Hospice–Western Region, Covenant Church, or Carl Sandburg College Foundation.
Hinchliff-Pearson-West Funeral Directors and Cremation Services is assisting his family with arrangements. Online condolences may be offered at www.h-p-w.com.
