Dr. Richard L. Norman, MD
December 13, 1932 – April 26, 2025

Dr. Richard Leslie Norman, MD, passed away peacefully on April 26, 2025, at Diamond Terraces in Hanford, California. He was 92.  His passions included being a Doctor, his patients, his family along with golfing, fishing and boating when possible.

Born in Newfoundland, New Jersey - borough of Sussex County on December 13, 1932, Richard was the eldest of four children (Patricia, Thomas and Carolee) born to Leslie and Nettie Norman. A striking child, he was entered into the Annual Beautiful Child Contest in 1936. He graduated from Butler High School in June 1950 and went on to work in the lab at Pequanoc Rubber Company, a significant landmark in Butler, before enlisting in the U.S. Navy on February 14, 1952.

During his military service, Richard trained at the U.S. Naval Training Center in Bainbridge, MD, and earned his Aviation Electronic Technician Certification from the Naval Air Technical Training Center in Memphis, TN, in 1953. While stationed in San Diego, it is rumored he met his first love Ruth M. Rich at a roller-skating rink. The two married on November 7, 1954, in Glendale, CA. While serving aboard the USS Boxer attached to Strike Fighter Squadron 125 (VFA-125 – now stationed at Naval Air Station Lemoore ) he spent 369 days at sea during deployments in China and Korea. He was honorably discharged in 1956.

After the Navy Richard pursued higher education at San Diego State University graduating in 1960 and was  accepted to Loma Linda University School of Medicine, graduating in 1964. He completed a four-year residency in Obstetrics and Gynecology at Glendale Adventist Hospital in 1968. His dedication to medicine was unwavering. He delivered his youngest daughter, Becky, during his residence.

In the summer of 1968, after completion of his residency  Dr. Norman and his family relocated to Lindsay, CA, where he took over the practice of Dr. Warren Fish who left Lindsay in 1967. Over the next 30 years, he served the communities of Lindsay, Porterville, Strathmore, Springville, Terra Bella, Earlimart, Poplar, Three Rivers, Exeter and assisted in Visalia. He opened his practice on July 1, 1968, and saw his last patient, July 1, 1998.  He performed 7,712 deliveries (resulting in over 9,000 newborns) and 6,612 surgeries.  Dr. Norman was deeply devoted to his patients, often saying, “I really love my patients, and I really love what I do.” He was available 24/7, 365 days a year, embodying compassion and commitment. His bedside manners were endeared by his patients. It was not uncommon for his patients to agree “He makes you feel like you are special, not only as a patient but as a friend.  He was always there for me.  If I had any problems, he was there to listen to all my concerns.”  It was not uncommon to see him at the nurse’s station with feet propped on the counter reading a magazine waiting for the next big event.

A devoted father, Richard and Ruth adopted three children: Robert (1959), Rick (1962), and Becky (1966). In 1981, after a tragic accident that left Rick with a severe brain injury, Ruth became a full-time caregiver. Richard after he retired gave Ruth a break and became Rick’s caregiver—another testament to his unwavering care and love for family.

He was an avid golfer and a member of the River Island Country Club for decades.  He loved to play and would go out in the evenings just to play a few holes.  He competed successfully in many local fund-raising events in the San Joaquin Valley and had two hole in ones in his career.

Following Ruth’s passing in October 2014, just shy of their 62nd wedding anniversary, Richard found love, companionship again and married Joy Estes on June 7, 2015. They shared a love of the views of the Sierra Mountains from their rear porch, relaxing by the pool, sitting by the fire pit, their cats, and trips along the California coastline,  Palm Springs and visiting friends.

He was preceded in death by his parents Leslie and Nettie Norman, his first wife Ruth, their son Richard Allen, and Steve Lewis (stepson). He is survived by his loving wife Joy Estes; son Robert Leslie Norman (Jan) of Hanford; daughter Rebecca Jo Speer (Kenneth) of Lindsay; step daughters Antionette Branigan (Emmet) of Bellingham and Sandy Lewis of Porterville; sisters Patricia Rupp of New Hampshire,  Carolee Hastings (Jim) of Florida and brother Thomas Norman (Patricia) of Arizona; 13 grandchildren, 8 great grandchildren and many nieces, nephews, extended family, friends, and former patients whose lives he touched.

A graveside service will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Friday, May 30, 2025, at Lindsay-Strathmore Public Cemetery. A reception will follow at China’s Alley in Lindsay, all are welcomed. No visitation is planned.

He has left a void that cannot be filled and will be missed by many