Norman F. Atkinson

Norman F. Atkinson “Norm” (94) of Lake Barrington, Ill passed away peacefully on February 8, 2025. He was born on September 22, 1930 in Dayton, Ohio to Fred and Hazel (nee Ihrig) Atkinson who have preceded him in death. He is also preceded in death by his sister, Janet Viers. Norm is survived by his loving wife of 42 years, Dianne (nee Muszynski): beloved sons Christopher (Lucy), Dave (Lynn), Todd (Raminta): grandchildren Lauren, Cody (Courtney), Tyler and Elena Atkinson and Katie (Corey) Smith; great-grandchildren, Vivien and Gaven Roscher and Kai and Aurora Smith. He was also cherished by many nieces, nephews, grandnieces and grandnephews, friends and other family. He will be missed. 

Norm was a 1948 graduate of Wilbur Wright High School and a 1952 graduate of the University of Dayton. He was a ROTC Distinguished Military Graduate and served in Korea with the Army after college. He was a small weapons instructor at the US Infantry School at Fort Benning (now Fort Moore), Georgia.

Norm was a percussionist from a very early age and was honored to be a member of the Dayton Philharmonic Orchestra while in college. After the service, while in the Army Reserve, he worked for NCR as a data analyst. In 1967, he joined Ernest & Young as a Management Consultant. During those years he studied for his CPA at Ohio University. He received a Master of Business Administration at Wright State University in 1976. He then moved to Chicago to work for the consulting firm of Lester B. Knight and Assoc. as their Administrator. He then was hired by the law firm McDermott, Will & Emory as their first administrator where he eventually retired in February, 1996. In retirement, he became a Certified Financial Planner.

 Norm enjoyed sports (especially The Ohio State and the Cincinnati Reds), music, family and was an avid reader of military histories. He was a devout Christian who loved his Lord and lived up to the teachings of Christ. Throughout his life he was very active in his churches as an Elder and on various committees.

 Prior to moving back to Ohio, Norm was very involved in the Homeless Ministry (PADS) at First Presbyterian of Arlington Heights. In 1996, while living in Sharonville Ohio, he began volunteering for the Ambulatory Treatment Center at Bethesda Hospital in Montgomery, Ohio. He had such compassion for the patients being treated for cancer, he decided providing them with cookies would help ease the pain. He began making cookies regularly and was written up in the Bethesda Newsletter as the “Cookie Man.” He was well loved by the staff and patients at Bethesda. 

Moving to Lake Barrington, IL in 2014, he began volunteering at McHenry Hospital in the Day Surgery Unit and at Good Shepherd Hospital in the Emergency Department. He loved his time at both these places and was loved back especially by staff members. 

 In 2018 he was diagnosed with Dementia and had to limit his activities. Since February, 2024 he was in memory care at Auberge in Lake Zurich. After a short illness, he passed away at Journey Care Hospice. He was comfortable at the very end. 

Internment at All Saints Cemetery will be private, but a Celebration of his Life will be held for family and close friends.

 In Norm's honor and memory, donations may be made to Journey Care Hospice, Lake Zurich, IL., the Ambulatory Treatment Center at Bethesda Hospital, Montgomery, OH, or the Good Shepherd Emergency Department, Barrington, IL.