Mr. Norbert Meinhardt Ewald

Norbert passed away unexpectedly, but peacefully at his long-time Minnetonka home at the age of 95. He is survived by his beloved wife of 71 years Ruth (nee Laas). He was the loving and very proud father of Kenneth (Jill), Bruce (Janet), Douglas (Mary), Ellen Sue Ewald (Terje Mikalsen) and Marianne Loken (Martin). He is also survived by 11 grandchildren and 6 great grandchildren. Norb was the last surviving sibling in his family of brothers, half-brothers and half-sisters in the US and Europe. Norb was born and grew up in New York. He attended Macalester College and graduated from the University of Minnesota with degrees in Electrical Engineering and Business Administration. He later completed a mini-MBA at St. Thomas University. He always felt lucky to contribute to the development of the computer industry. He would say of his 30-year engineering career with Univac (Unisys) and as a consultant after retirement as “never having to work a day in my life.” Norb was a decorated WWII air combat veteran, flying B24s as a Flight Engineer in Europe. Prior to his bomber assignment, he was training as a pilot. He continued to serve as an officer in the US Air Force Reserve until his 1982 retirement as a Major. Norb had a life-long passion for music. He started playing trombone as a teenager and never gave it up. He enjoyed playing with his friends in the Hopkins Westwind Concert Band into his 90’s. Nothing made Norb happier than being with people, especially kids. He cherished time with his family and enjoyed keeping up with friends from the military, work, Mizpah Church, computer club and the band. Norb and Ruth also loved to travel. They toured widely in the US, Canada, Europe and Middle East. They loved to be immersed in the local culture, seeing the sites and visiting family and friends. Throughout his life, Norb was curious about the scientific world and interested in how things worked. His special interests included geology, geography and cosmology. He loved to work with his hands. From building model planes and trains, to fixing cars and computers, to building and making repairs around the house, he always had a project. He was eager to help, ready with a joke and an optimist at heart! A visitation will be held March 22, 2018, 5:00-7:00pm at Washburn-McReavy, Strobeck Johnson Chapel, 1400 Mainstreet, Hopkins, MN. A Celebration of Life service will be at Mizpah UCC, 412 5th Ave N., Hopkins, MN, March 23, 2018, 11:00am. A private burial will occur at Fort Snelling National Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Mizpah UCC www.mizpahucc.org, Hopkins Westwind Band www.hopkinswestwind.org , or the charity of your choice.

Tributes

Mr. Norbert Meinhardt Ewald

November 15, 1922 - March 7, 2018

Tributes

Mr. Norbert Meinhardt Ewald

November 15, 1922 - March 7, 2018

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