Norman "Bud" Mitchell

Mitchell Norman L. "Bud" Mitchell, Sr., a prominent Minneapolis resident, died peacefully Thursday evening at the St. Cloud Veterans Hospital. Born September 9, 1920, he was the middle of three children and a native of Minneapolis. A lifelong aviation and sports enthusiast, he was a graduate of West High School and earned a letter in swimming while attending the University of Minnesota. He left the University to join the U.S. Marine Corps as a Naval Aviator. While serving in the South Pacific in World War II, he was given many decorations including the Distinguished Flying Cross and rose to become squadron commander of night fighter squadron VMF(N)541. He retired from the Marine Corps as a Colonel. Bud served as Chief Pilot for the Minneapolis Star and Tribune from 1950 to 1975 and then as Assistant Vice President of the paper until his retirement in 1982. He was Chairman of the Board of the National Business Aircraft Association from 1973 to 1975. He headed the Minneapolis Chamber of Commerce Aviation Committee during part of the 1970s. His flying career included setting two world speed records in the Grumman Gulfstream G2 from Cairo to London, and Antiqua, BWI to Dakar, Senegal in the 1970s. He was inducted into the Minnesota Aviation Hall of Fame in 1993. Bud was blessed with a loving family and many friends. He enjoyed people and belonged to many organizations including the American Legion, the Fox and Hounds Breakfast Club, and the Gyro International where he served as the International President. He is survived by his wife of 61 years, Miriam Peake Mitchell and two sons, Norman L. Mitchell, Jr. and his wife Gail of Cape Coral, FL, Dr. James Mitchell and his wife Cathy of Edina, MN and two daughters, Karen Nelson and husband Gary of Jakarta, Indonesia, Laura Mitchell and husband Allan Mosar of Sisters, OR. He is also survived by nine grandchildren, Anne Mitchell Trevino of Lompoc, CA, Norman L. Mitchell III of Fallbrook, CA, Julia Nelson Hernandez of Oaxaca, Mexico, Capt. Stacy Nelson USAF of Lancaster, CA, Carrie Mitchell of New York City, NY, Jessica Mitchell of Minneapolis, MN, Jamie Mitchell of Edina, MN, Lt. Daniel Hildebrandt USAFR and Amy Hildebrandt of Sisters, OR. He leaves four great-grandchildren of Lompoc, CA. He was predeceased by his parents, Norman S. Mitchell and Louise Leavitt Mitchell. He is survived by two brothers, William S. Mitchell of Wayzata and Donald C. Mitchell of Scottsdale, AZ. On Tuesday at 2 pm there will be a Christian service of worship in witness to the resurrection and in celebration of his life at St. Stephen's Episcopal Church (4439 W. 50th St., Edina). The Rev. Graham Fenton will officiate. He will be interred in a private ceremony at Lakewood Cemetery in Minneapolis. The family will greet friends and neighbors at a reception at St. Stephens immediately following the service. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be sent to the Sister Kenny Foundation for Spinal Cord Injury Programs, 800 E. 28th St., Minneapolis, MN 55407 or St. Stephen's Episcopal Church, 4439 West 50th St., Edina, MN 55424. Washburn-McReavy Edina Chapel 952-920-3996

Tributes

Norman "Bud" Mitchell

October 28, 2003

Tributes

Norman "Bud" Mitchell

October 28, 2003

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