Minister
   (1963-1977)

   Rev. Norm Stuart

 

 

 

 

 

 

The Rev. W. Norman Stuart was born in Seattle to William and Una Stuart on March 4, 1926.

He graduated from Ballard High School in January 1943.  He entered the University of Washington but, after just one semester, was drafted into the Army that fall.  He served in the Far East (Okinawa) and attained the rank of Sergeant in the intelligence corps. 

After being discharged in 1946, Norm returned to the University of Washington.  He received a bachelor's degree in 1949 and entered law school that fall.

Norm married Barbara Wilson on September 1, 1950. 

In his last quarter of law school, Norm decided that he did NOT want to be a lawyer.  He worked as a claims adjuster for Kemper Insurance from 1953 to 1958.  Meanwhile, he and Barbara bought a house and began a family.

In the spring of 1957  -- with three children aged 5, 3, and 1 -- Norm had an epiphany.  As he put it, "God said 'I want you now!'"

Norm responded by entering the Pacific School of Religion -- an ecumenical seminary in Berkeley, California -- in 1958.  Barbara and Norm had their fourth child in 1959.

Norm worked full-time while at seminary, thereby extending a three-year course of study to four years and eight months.

He was called to the Suquamish church, becoming its first full-time minister on March 17, 1963.  Another child was born in July 1968, making three boys and two girls.

On December 13, 1977, Norm suffered a massive heart attack and passed away.