Norman Harry Lindgren, age 94, passed away in Salt Lake City, UT on March 24th, 2024. Born March 17th, 1930 to Axel Harry Lindgren and Lillian Josephine DeGrazio.
In 1948, Norm married his high school sweetheart Helen Nancy Gehrke in Salt Lake City, Utah, where they raised four children.
Stormin’ Norman loved to work. His entire career was spent in the trucking industry. As a young man, he started as a dispatcher for the trucking company IML Freight and, over time, worked his way up to Regional Manager. Later, Norm was appointed as the Director of Motor Carriers for the Utah Department of Transportation. He was very proud of his accomplishments at UDOT, which included implementing the weigh-in-motion technology used at the Port of Entries throughout the state. After he retired from UDOT, he worked as a consultant for IRD, where he could continue doing the work he loved until 2020, when COVID forced him into permanent retirement at the age of 90.
Norm loved working out at the gym, playing tennis, and watching college sports. His favorite sport to watch was anything his children and grandchildren were participating in. After the passing of his wife in 1998, he passionately took over the gardening duties and became quite an accomplished gardener. He loved his coffee HOT and his hot wings HOTTER! Norm loved to cook. He will be remembered for his pineapple upside-down cake, steak and beer potatoes, a wicked chili, and extra-extra chicken noodle soup.
His actions spoke louder than his words, most of the time. Our lives were better because he was part of it. We were better because of him. He was our Dumbledor and our Gandolf.
Namárië, Papa
He is survived by his sons, Steven (Chris Cowley Lindgren), Kerry, Mark, four grandchildren, six great-grandchildren, and two great-great-grandchildren.
He was preceded in death by his wife, Helen Gehrke, his daughter Cheryl Lindgren, parents, his brothers Donald and Robert “Bob.”, daughter-in-law, Lisa Wade Lindgren, and granddaughters, Brooke Lindgren and Traci Lindgren.
We were threatened with being haunted if we held a service. We are a little worried about even publishing this. So please, drink a beer, play your favorite sport, cook a delicious meal, or sit down and read your favorite book in his honor.
Guestbook/Condolences
We were privileged to know Norm as a colleague, customer, team member and most of all, a dear friend. Norm always participated with enthusiasm and shared wise advice keeping us focussed on our shared goals. I always enjoyed Norm’s company and valued his advice over a beer and hot wings, at a conference, numerous business and social occasions, and as a true friend. Thank you Norm for your many years of friendship.
I had known Norm while working at IRD for many years. He had been both a mentor and a friend. Norm would always say what was on his mind and was honest to a fault. I respected Norm and have fond memories (especially debating over hot wings and refreshments). Peace to you, Norm, and to your family..
It was a great pleasure to have met Norm! He was a wonderful person and shared many stories of his family which he was so proud of. He was true gentleman and we always looked forward to seeing Norm when he came to Saskatoon. We thought of Norm during a beautiful sunset on the day we learned of his passing. Always, the Bergan’s
I have lots of great memories of Norm! From our years together with IRD. Especially our heart to heart chats. Cheers to you Norm - definitely will be missed.
Norm was an honest, thoughtful friend known by everyone in AASHTO and CVSA. He was a good mentor and helped me understand the commercial vehicle industry. We spent many evenings at conferences and in Saskatoon sharing life and family experiences along with hot chicken wings, nachos and the odd White Russian!. Norm loved his family, especially his grandchildren. Yvonne and I will miss him. Take care old friend!
So sorry to hear about Norm . My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family...
I had the pleasure of talking to Norm several times in the past few years. I am the grandson of his brother Donald and loved speaking to another man with the razor-sharp Lindgren wit. I will carry my memories of Norm with me forward, and wish peace and happiness onto all of the lives that he touched.
With love,
Colin Burns
I am honored to have called Norm a friend and a Mentor. Always the wise voice of reason.
I worked with Norm at the Utah Department of Transportation and considered him a dear friend. Even after he retired he would always show up for our national meetings, it was always a treat to see him.
Love you Norm
What a full and wonderful life. Keep his memory close and continue to celebrate the way he taught.
I had the wonderful experience of sharing time with Norm over the years through travel to various meetings that Norm was practically an insititution at given all the years he attended them. Norm had a special way to make people feel important and highly valued. I feel so lucky for having had the chance to share the time with him and learn and mentor from Norm.
Stormin’ Norman couldn’t have been a more appropriate reference for Norm. Time spent with Norm was full of life experience from which to learn. Norm always had time for you and was willing to tell you just how things were without mincing words. Great friend and mentor! Proud to have known him.
So sorry for your loss.
I had the pleasure of meeting Norm several years ago at a conference. He had such a vast amount of knowledge. I always enjoyed sitting with him in the morning while he drank his coffee and told many stories.
We were in Salt Lake 2 years ago I am so glad he agreed to come to the social that night to see everyone.
Norm was the most kind, considerate & knowledgeable person I had known. We had quite a few conversations about the port of entries in Wyoming and Utah. My most favorible conversation with Norm was talking about health and eating chicken wings. You will be missed my friend.
I referred to Norm as my uncle although we were not blood related. I met him over 20 years ago regarding an issue related to truck bypass on the highways and the electronic system that Utah, Oregon and Washington had developed versus the other competing system that was operating. Norm wanted all data that was captured to be available to the states as well as truckers. The competition signed agreements with truckers that data would not be available to the states. Wowee he was hot on this issue. I was with Federal Highway and couldn't endorse either system but mostly sided with Norm. His approach made sense as I guess most things he did made sense. But, guess what, the competition developed a system that could be shared with the state and truckers and Norm played a big role in that. And, I hope in his final days he was aware of that. He was quite a guy. I really did love Norm and wish that I could have worked closer with him when he was with IRD. I have to say he was truly one of a kind that we should all use as a model for how to interact with all those around us. Nephew Mike
I realize I am coming here late, but I just heard about Norm's passing. I looked forward to CVSA Workshops and Conferences to have the opportunity to hangout with Norm, especially walking to dinner in the evenings. Fond memories! It was always funny hearing him talk about how much he loved chicken wings, but every time he ordered them, he never liked them. Being with Norm was like being with a favorite uncle. He will be missed!
So many memories. So many work projects together. So many joint efforts. Norm was a great and loyal friend. Sincere condolences to all of his family members.