Norm Doshier peacefully passed away on Thursday, March 22, 2007.

He was born March 2, 1932 in Detroit, where he and his older brother Ralph spent their early years.

Norm and Bonnie, his wife of 56 years, were high school sweethearts. Their daughter and elder son were born in Royal Oak, Mich., before the family settled in California, and their new lives began in Glendora, where their younger son was born.

Norm earned both his engineering and master’s degrees at California State University, Northridge, and took great pride in his work in the growing space industry at JPL. He continued in this field throughout his professional life while the Doshiers made the San Fernando Valley home for 34 years.

Norm’s life was filled with joy and many accomplishments. He had a loving family, and many new and long-time friends, and he realized numerous dreams of travel.

His boyhood dream of seeing and “feeling” Antarctica was his greatest adventure, and Australia was a second home to him. Backpacking in the Grand Canyon and the High Sierras was a love he shared with his family and friends; hiking Idyllwild trails with his dog, Merlin, was a great pleasure. His long-enduring passion for sports cars finally climaxed with a Mini Cooper S, his pride and joy.

Norm felt his 12 years in Idyllwild were among his most treasured. He believed in giving back to this community through his service and contributions to many organizations.

When the Doshiers arrived in Idyllwild, they brought a strong dedication to the library and a rare willingness to help. Norm became a mainstay of Friends of the Idyllwild Library in 1995, and his accomplishments are great.

He managed the labor-intensive fundraising book sales, and he and his ancient green truck remained key and ever-present partners in those events for more than a decade. Norm also served as treasurer, and followed as president during a momentous three terms when significant things happened.

Friends persuaded Riverside County to purchase a new library building. Norm was instrumental in that and the enormous task of moving it. The new building was enhanced by Norm’s overseeing a new deck and beautification projects.

When the Friends began the expansion project, Norm attained the offer of adjacent land from Suburban Propane. Significantly, Norm kept Idyllwild Library in the forefront of county awareness by faithful attendance to County Free Library Advisory Council meetings, and initiated the practice of hosting the meetings annually.

Norm Doshier was charming and funny, always enthusiastic, multi-talented, extremely effective, and instrumental in enhancing our library. ARF, the Historical Society and his church, Community Presbyterian, were also focuses of importance and recipients of his generous spirit. Many grieve his absence.

Norm was also a gentle man with a quick smile, a teasing wit and a fun sense of humor he shared with all.

A memorial service open to all will be held at the Idyllwild Community Presbyterian Church at 1 p.m. Saturday, April 14.

He is survived by his beloved wife Bonnie; his daughter Kay; his sons Keith and Kris; his brother Ralph; Bonnie’s sister Sally; and brothers Dean, Doug and all their spouses and children.

In honor of his memory and in lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Friends of the Idyllwild Library “Building Fund,” P.O. Box 68, Idyllwild, CA 92549, or Medical Mission of the Community Presbyterian Church, P.O. Box 537, Idyllwild, CA 92549.