Upcoming Services
| Ellen Feldman |
Tue May 7th at 1:30 GRAVESIDE AT MACHPELAH CEMETERY | |
| Donald Mendelssohn |
Tue May 7th A PRIVATE FAMILY SERVICE | |
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Mon May 6th at 2:00 IRA KAUFMAN CHAPEL | |
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Sun May 5th at 1:30 IRA KAUFMAN CHAPEL | |
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| Linda Lea Bertin |
Sun May 5th at 11:00 IRA KAUFMAN CHAPEL |
FUNERAL DETAILS
Brigadier General Norman Ralph Thorpe (USAF Ret)
Brigadier General Norman Ralph Thorpe (USAF Ret), 87, of Birmingham, Michigan, died on 24 January 2022. The Funeral was held at IRA KAUFMAN CHAPEL on Sunday, 30 January 2022 at 12:00 PM . Rabbi Alicia Harris officiated. Click  to watch a video of the recorded service.Interment at Oakview Cemetery, 1032 N Main St, Royal Oak, MI 48067.
Family members include: Preceded in death by wife Elaine Pritzman Thorpe (z”l) and son Andrew Steven (z"l). Survived by daughters Sarah Thorpe Chisholm (Christopher), Carrie Rebecca Keough (Joshua); grandchildren Anna, Callum, Euan, and Evelyn; brother Robert Jay Thorpe (Elizabeth); and sister-in-law Marilyn LeBoy; beloved nieces, nephews, cousins, and the incredible treasured friends, both locally and worlds away, who became family. Brigadier General Norman Ralph Thorpe (USAF Ret) was born in 1934, in Carlinville, Ill. In his early years he was raised by his mother, Imogene Thorpe (z”l) and grandmother, Carrie Hayes (z”l). These strong women instilled in him an incredible work ethic and an appreciation of equality and fairness. Although the family was small and came from modest means, Norm loved to share happy memories of growing up with them and his brother, Dr. Robert J Thorpe (“Jay”) and his pop, Red Thorpe (z”l). Norm was truly a lifelong learner. He attended the University of Illinois on an ROTC scholarship, and in 1956 received a bachelor of arts degree in economics with a minor in international affairs. In 1958 he graduated from the University of Illinois Law School and received a juris doctor (doctor of laws) degree. In 1967 he received a master of laws degree in international law from The George Washington University. Norm also attended The Hague Academy of International Law, Netherlands; Air Force Procurement School at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base; and the Northwestern University Law School course for prosecuting attorneys. Following law school, Norm was commissioned in the US Air Force in 1956. First at Pepperell Air Force Base, Newfoundland, and later at Stewart Air Force Base, N.Y. This was the beginning of an incredible 30-year military career. From 1964 to 1966 he served in Ankara, Turkey where he met his beloved Elaine Pritzman (z”l). Though both Norm and Elaine were from Illinois, they met in Turkey where Elaine was stationed as a teacher for the Department of Defense Schools. From 1969-72, he was detailed to the Department of State to serve as legal adviser for the U.S. Ambassador in Manila, Philippines. It was here that Sarah and Andrew Steven (z”l) were born. From 1972-76 Norm served as the chief of the Air Force’s International Law Division, based in Washington D.C. Daughter Carrie joined the family on this assignment. From D.C. Norm, then a Colonel, and family moved to McGuire AFB and on to Ramstein AFB, Germany. Now Brigadier General Norman Thorpe was the USAF Europe Staff Judge Advocate General where his duties included, among other things, supervising military justice and other legal matters at 39 legal offices in 11 countries throughout Europe and exercising major responsibilities for the protection of U.S. service members under foreign criminal charges. Norm’s final USAF assignment was at Wright-Patterson AFB near Dayton, Ohio. He was the commander of the Air Force Contract Law Center and the staff judge advocate, Air Force Logistics Command. Although Norm retired from the USAF in 1988, he most certainly did not slow down. Norm served as a senior member of the GM Legal Staff for 18 years. While at GM he handled the public contracts division and many international contracts for the company. During this time, he was active in the American Bar Associations International Law and Public Contracts Groups, serving as section chief for the latter. Norm’s passion and skill for international law took him to Prague where he helped to found the Central and Eastern European Law Institute or CEELI, immediately following the collapse of the Soviet Union. Norm represented the US State Department International Law Division while sitting on the Board at CEELI. At the CEELI Institute, he taught lawyers, judges, and high court justices from former eastern bloc countries how to practice law in a constitutional democracy. He, also, assisted these fledgling democracies in drafting their own new constitutions. Following his retirement from GM he worked on the legal team at USCAR, a consortium of the Big Three, working on hydrogen fuel cell technology. Additionally, USCAR created a safe and legal environment for US automakers to work together to address the increasing demands of ever changing environmental legislation. Norm’s passion for education and his storied career do not tell a complete picture of what an incredible man he was. Norm was an accomplished musician, playing clarinet in the Fighting Illini Marching Band, a concert pianist, and sang in choirs for years. He and Elaine loved to travel and cook together, and having children did not slow them down. Every opportunity was spent on road trips and adventures. Together they traveled all over Europe, North America, the Middle East and Asia. Later when Sarah and Carrie were older and living abroad with their own families, Norm and Elaine visited and traveled extensively in Brazil, China, and Qatar. In every country where he lived or traveled, without fail, Norm made dear friends. He never missed an opportunity to listen and learn and hear people’s stories. Norm was an amazing family man and devoted husband. He is known to have said he not only had two daughters, but also two additional sons. He loved and cherished the time spent with his sons-in-law talking cars, sports and the politics of the day. Even with all of his incredible accomplishments, Norm’s greatest pride was spending time with his beloved grandchildren. ÜberPoppy would take them to rehearsals, scouts, practices and games, never wanting to miss an opportunity to tell a Norm Story. And it wasn’t just his immediate family that benefited from the love and attention of this amazing man. Norm was a parent, advisor and friend to countless peers and young people throughout metro Detroit and world. He was always available for whatever people needed and he gave freely and generously of his knowledge gained in a life well lived. It is this giving spirit and wealth of knowledge that will live on in everyone who was blessed to have been touched by Norm. It is suggested that those who wish to further honor the memory of Brigadier General Norman Ralph Thorpe (USAF Ret) may do so by making a contribution to: Democracy FundClick to Visit Charity Website or Detroit Symphony OrchestraClick to Visit Charity Website or Michigan Opera TheaterClick to Visit Charity Website or Congregation Shir TikvahClick to Visit Charity Website |