It is with great sadness that KI shares the passing of Norman Nance, VP of A&D Marketing/Environmental Initiatives. For over 20 years, Norman managed KI’s relationships with its partners in the A&D community. He expanded the breadth and depth of KI’s environmental initiatives, a true advocate for raising awareness and bringing sustainable design to KI’s customers. Norman spent his entire career in the furniture industry with various roles at a number of manufacturers.
Norman will be remembered for his warmth and sharp intellect. He was a handyman, athlete and an inventor with a passion for vintage cars. He will be greatly missed by the KI family.
Published in Green Bay Press-Gazette from Aug. 30 to Sept. 1, 2016:
Norman Kirk Nance (57) transitioned from life into eternal life on August 27, 2016. He was born on March 22, 1959, the third child of the late Max Nance, Sr. and Love Hall Nance. He grew up in Trinity, North Carolina, and spent the majority of his childhood on a 100-acre farm purchased by his father, where he raised dogs and rode motorcycles. He discovered his talent for art very young, and completed a degree in furniture design from Kendall College of Art and Design in Grand Rapids, Michigan. There he met his wife, Susan Michels Nance, after she shared supplies with him in a design class. The two married in 1982 in Michigan, and have two daughters, Sarah and Kelly.
Norman worked his entire career in furniture design and marketing. For over twenty years, he has worked as vice president of marketing at KI in Green Bay, Wisconsin. In this role, he has expanded the reach and breadth of KI’s environmental initiatives, bringing safer, more environmentally friendly furniture to offices, schools, and hospitals. This work reflected his own love of the outdoors, where he spent most of his free time.
Norman was constantly in motion, a handyman, athlete, and inventor. He loved vintage cars and spent many weekends in the garage repairing and driving them. He was an avid runner, completing eleven marathons in his thirties and forties. He loved taking care of birds and people alike; he kept the yard’s bird feeders filled even in winter, and could strike up conversation with anyone he came across. He was reliable; always the first one to show up in an emergency, always ready to help with a project and fix something that was broken. He loved coffee and a good glass of red wine.
He is survived by his wife, Susan, and children Sarah (Daniel Couch) and Kelly; his brothers Max Nance, Jr. (Carolyn) and Chuck Nance (Melissa), and sister Joy Haithcock (Randy); and the many colleagues and friends he made everywhere he went.
A visitation will be held at RYAN FUNERAL HOME & CREMATORY, 305 North 10th Street, De Pere, on Friday, September 2 starting at 4 pm, with a prayer service held at 6 pm to close the evening. A Mass of Christian Burial of Norman’s life will be held at 10 am on Saturday, September 3 with a visitation at 9 am at Resurrection Parish, 333 Hilltop Drive, Green Bay. In lieu of flowers, please direct donations in Norman’s name to Golden House in Green Bay, where he served a term on the board. Please visit www.ryanfh.com to send condolences to Norman’s family.
The family wishes to thank Dr. Annick Desjardins at Duke University’s Preston Robert Tisch Brain Tumor Center for her direction and support; Nicole James and staff from the Center for Optimal Health in Sturgeon Bay; and the work families of KI and Notre Dame School of De Pere for their overwhelming love.
http://www.legacy.com/obituaries/greenbaypressgazette/obituary.aspx?page=lifestory&pid=181221733