May 27 1939 October 21 2019 (age 80)
On Monday, 21 October 2019, Dr. Normantas Klausutis, loving husband and father of three children and grandfather of two passed away at the age of 80. He was also a loving “Dad” and teacher to so many others in his community. He was lucky to have so many other sons and daughters through friendship and was proud of all of them. Norm was born in May 27, 1939 in Vilnius Lithuania to Laimingas and Alexandria Klausutis. He immigrated to Syracuse, NY with his parents in 1949. His only disappointment with the United States was learning that the streets were not really paved with gold and there were not actual cowboys riding horses in the streets. Norm became a naturalized United Stated Citizen in 1955 and later graduated from Syracuse University with both a bachelors and master’s degree in Chemical Engineering while serving in the Reserve Officer Training Corp. He earned his commission in the United States Air Force June 25, 1963 and was first assigned to the Air Force Academy as a professor in the Chemistry department. While at the Air Force Academy he met Carol Ann and they were married December 23, 1965. After earning his Doctorate of Philosophy from the University of Texas in Austin on August 28, 1968 he returned to the Air Force Academy until he was reassigned to the Geophysics Laboratory at Hanscom AFB in 1972. In 1976 he joined the Air Force Armament Test Laboratory at Eglin AFB in his final assignment prior to retiring from Active Duty in 1984 and transitioning to civil service with the Air Force Research Laboratory Munitions Directorate. In 2011 Norm after 48 combined years of service with the USAF retired from civil service. Although retired he continued another six years of service to the Air Force continuing to mentor individuals and provide leadership courses at AFRL as an emeritus until 2017. Norm and Carol Klausutis raised two sons Timothy John and Michael Allen, and one daughter Kristen Ann. Norm, forever the teacher, provided many a lecture on responsibility, mathematics, physics, chemistry and life in general. These lectures may not have always been appreciated by the pupils then, but their value have paid many returns beyond their perceived boredom at the time. Norm was and will always be a teacher and mentor. His impact on this world will continue for many generations and many families throughout his community and the Air Force. Norm is survived by his wife Carol, his two sons Timothy and Michael, his two daughter’s in-law Laurie Klausutis and Jennifer Talley, and his grandson Jakob and granddaughter Adalisse. He will be joining his parents Laimingas and Alexandria, his father and mother in-law William and Francis Meredith, his beloved daughter Kristen Ann, and his beloved daughter-in-law Lori Kaye. The Memorial mass will be said October 31, 2019 at 10:00 A.M. at The Holy Name of Jesus Catholic Church. The Church is located at 1200 Valparaiso Blvd, Niceville FL. Military Honors will be rendered immediately after Mass at the Church. A reception will be held immediately after. The internment will be held at Heritage Gardens, Niceville Fl at 1:00 P.M. Norm requested that people attending should wear bright colors, not black. Norm believed that while this is a time of morning, we should celebrate the person and their impact on our lives. He learned this from Lori Kaye and Kristen Ann and this has since become the family tradition. So, be prepared to wear bright colors and tell funny stories. In lieu of flowers, please make a donation in Norms’ name to the American Cancer society, if desired.
Our most sincere sympathies to the family and friends of Normantas Klausutis May 27 1939 October 21 2019 (age 80).
Heritage Gardens Funeral Home & Cemetery
Death notice for the town of: Niceville, state: Florida