Douglas M. Norris Jr.

Douglas M. Norris Jr. died Oct. 25. He was 85.

Born April 14, 1927, the elder son of Douglas Monroe Norris and Ruth Blum, he grew up in New Jersey. After serving in the Army at the end of World War II, he attended Tufts University, graduating with an engineering degree.

During a summer on a Swiss alpine work project, he met his future wife, Barbara Meythaler, traveling to Europe. After their marriage, they lived in Michigan where Norris completed his Ph.D. in structural mechanics. He taught at the University of New Hampshire for seven years, then in 1969 made the move to California. He worked at LLNL for 10 years and then retired from EPRI (Electric Power Research Institute).

During his retirement, he moved to Puerta Vallarta, Mexico, where he bought an historic home overlooking the bay. He took up sailing, Spanish and renewed his interest in painting. A renaissance man his entire life, he designed and built two homes, sailed from the Bay Area to Mexico, and was a mountain climber. He imparted his love of art, music and books to his three children, Lisa, Jane and Douglas III.

No services will be held. Donations may be made to the Alzheimer's Society.