Norbert C. West, Jr

Norbert “Norb” West Jr. of Appleton, age 73, passed away comforted by his wife Linda and his children. Born on January 27, 1953, the son of Norbert Sr. and Marie West, he was a lifelong resident of Appleton.

On October 6, 1973, Norb married his high school sweetheart, Linda Ann Luebke. Together they shared more than 52 years of marriage and raised two children. A 1971 graduate of Appleton West High School, he earned an associate’s degree in Auto Mechanics from Fox Valley Technical College. He began his career as an auto mechanic at Cloud Buick, then worked in the paper industry at Thilmany and for over 26 years at the Kimberly-Clark Diaper Plant. After the plant closed, he continued serving others through maintenance work at Renaissance Nursing Home while studying to become an investment advisor. He passed the required Securities Industry and State exams and worked with NYLIFE Securities LLC, Paul Hoffman and Company (LPL Financial LLC), and Advisors’ Pride Inc., all in Appleton. He also served on the Board of Directors for Lakeview Credit Union for more than 30 years.

Norb cherished time with his children and granddaughters. He raised border collies and embraced the outdoors through camping, traveling, bicycling, and running marathons, completing several Ironman competitions. After retirement, he and Linda purchased a motorhome and traveled to 48 states, spending winters in Texas, California, and Arizona. He served as president of the Badgers RV group and was an active member of the Safari RV group, helping plan many of their gatherings. He was also a devoted member of Faith Lutheran Church in Appleton.

He is survived by his loving wife Linda, his children Jennifer (Jason) Fryar of Tomahawk and James (Stacey) West of Appleton, his grandchildren Virginia and Charlotte, his brothers Steven (Karen) West of Hortonville and Andy (Donna) West of Woodruff, his sisters Joan Hartstern (Chuck Salamun) of Pewaukee and Barb West of Appleton, five nephews, five nieces, and numerous grandnephews and grandnieces. He was preceded in death by his parents, Norbert Sr. and Marie West, and his parents-in-law, Merlin and Betty Luebke.