Norman William Glidden, born September 4, 1962, to Bob and Wanda Glidden, passed away unexpectedly, yet peacefully, in his home in Eureka on August 25, 2018.

He is survived by his wife Martje Van Werkum-Glidden, sons Zack and Garrett, siblings Cliff (Carolyn), Tim (Carol), Roberta (Dave) Pickett, Patricia “Lucy” (Paul) McCann, and so very many nieces, nephews, relatives, and friends.

Norm grew up in Hillsborough, Calif., graduated from San Mateo High School, and earned his BA from University of Colorado, Boulder with a dual major in Sociology and Economics.

A highlight was attending Squaw Valley Ski Academy for his junior year of high school. There he earned the nickname Stormin’ Norman.

Norm had worked as a contractor for over 30 years. He ran his own business, Concept Design Construction, and built his first home at age 27.

Most of his summers growing up were spent at the family cabin at Bear River Reservoir; hiking, fishing, exploring, riding dirt and trials bikes, cross-country skiing, snowmobiling, and learning to love the land, both summer and winter. He attended Skylake Yosemite Camp at Bass Lake for several summers.

Norm was an avid skier competing in high school and NCAA, always wanting to be the best on the mountain.

He traveled around the world, the first time on a six months trip at age 9, with his Mom, Dad, and sister Patty. Later he traveled with his wife and family to her family home in Holland, and other parts of Europe. He has lived in Humboldt County since 1988.

He loved ocean fishing, especially for salmon and halibut, as well as stream fishing, and fly fishing. Norm’s world was defined by his love of his family, his dogs, music, skiing, riding, and fishing.

A true outdoorsman, he treasured the peace of the mountains, the power of the ocean, as well as the magic of nature. His soul reveled in all open spaces. Norm played the piano from the time he was a young boy. He played from his heart with passion and sensitivity.

On his last earthly night, he serenaded Martje for several hours with his hauntingly beautiful melodies. Norm was considered friend, mentor, uncle, brother by many. No one could tell a story, tell a tale like him, and he had talked of writing a series of children’s books, with his sister Patty as illustrator. What a man we will miss; badder than bad, larger than life, better than good, protector of all he believed in, strong , hard, soft and sensitive.

Godspeed, Stormin’ Norman.

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The obituary above was submitted on behalf of Norman Glidden’s family. The Lost Coast Outpost runs obituaries of Humboldt County residents at no charge. See guidelines here.