Obituary of Norman Golden

Norman Ray Golden

Jan. 16, 1920 - July 31, 2016
Former Los Altos resident, Norman Ray Golden, passed away at The Forum's Health Care Center in Cupertino, on July 31st. He was 96 years old. He was the son of James and Ellen Golden, who arrived in San Francisco, from County Cork Ireland, just in time for the 1906 earthquake. The family moved from San Francisco to Davis in 1921, where Norm and his 3 siblings grew up. Norm's surviving sister, Barbara Zahn, continues to reside in Davis. Throughout life, Norm was always proud to acknowledge his Irish heritage and his "green" bloodlines.

Norm attended UC Davis for 2 years where he was on the Rally Committee, and participated in Inter-mural welterweight boxing. He also joined the Alpha Gamma Rho fraternity, and faithfully attended their yearly reunions until his health began to fail. He received a Bachelor of Science in Agricultural Economics, from UC Berkeley, in 1943. He was a proud Cal Bear until the day he died.

Norm joined the Navy in 1943 where he served as an ensign aboard a minesweeper in the Aleutian Islands. Norm continued to train, and teach, about the intricacies of mine warfare throughout the war. He retired from the Navy as a lieutenant in 1946.

In 1943, Norm also married his first wife Jean Bixel Golden. They had 2 children, Bonnie Golden, and Dan Golden, both currently residing in San Diego. Sadly, Norm's wife passed away in 1966. They were residing in Menlo Park at the time, where Norm was President of K & B Commercial, distributors for Amana and Speed Queen products.

In 1969, Norm met Dorothy Chalk on a blind date, and they were married that same year. With that marriage, Norm gained a step-daughter, Nancy Chalk Borchart, who resides in San Anselmo, CA. In 1974, Norm purchased Pulver Corporation where he worked until his 1988 retirement.

One of Norm's greatest joys was his membership in Los Altos Golf and Country Club, which he joined in 1976. He served on the Board of Directors, and created a yearly tournament, "A Day with Juli". The tournament endowed a scholarship fund at San Jose State, in the name of LPGA Hall of Famer Juli Inkster.

Norm had a deep devotion to St. William's Catholic Church in Los Altos, where he served as an usher for 25 years. He also enjoyed many years of "duffer" golf, travel throughout the world with "his Dottie", and working in his garden.

A memorial mass will be held on August 18th, at 11:00, at St. Nicholas Church, 473 Lincoln Ave. in Los Altos, with a reception to follow. Norm, and his family, have requested that memorial gifts be sent to the Dominican Nuns at Corpus Christi Monastery in Menlo Park or to The Catholic Community of St. Nicholas and St. William in Los Altos.
Published in San Francisco Chronicle from Aug. 8 to Aug. 10, 2016 - See more at: http://www.legacy.com/obituaries/sfgate/obituary.aspx?n=Norman-Golden&pid=180948905#sthash.vdCrcvjS.dpuf




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