Norman Eugene Taylor

Norman E. Taylor, 94, died Monday, Aug. 18, 2014, at his home in the Target Range area, surrounded by family and friends. He lived independently until a recent fall and subsequent stroke.

Norman was born March 10, 1920, in Oakland, California. After graduating from the University of California-Berkeley, with an A.B. degree in economics in 1941, he served in the U.S. Army Air Corps from 1942 to 1945 as a weather specialist stationed in Alaska. After the war, he continued his education, earning his MBA from UC-Berkeley in 1947 and a Ph.D. in economics from the University of Minnesota in 1955.

While on military R&R in Edmonton, Alberta, Norman met Mary Boorman, a student nurse at the University of Alberta. They were married June 6, 1948. After some years in Missoula and more years spent elsewhere, including Utah, Minnesota, Arizona and Oregon, they settled in Missoula permanently in 1962. Mary and Norman had five children – Alan Taylor of Seattle, Elizabeth Taylor Wilson of Missoula, N. Sam Taylor of Redmond, Oregon, Marilyn Taylor of Seattle and Andy Taylor of New York City – and nine grandchildren.

Norman taught economics and marketing at Utah State University and the University of Oregon before becoming the director of the Bureau of Business and Economic Research at the University of Montana School of Business in Missoula in 1962. Before he retired from the university, he served as administrative vice president and as vice president for research. After retiring from the university, he had a successful second career as a member of the Montana State Tax Appeal Board, which he left in 1995.

Norman and Mary Taylor enjoyed the company of their closest friends, The Senile Delinquents, and many other friends, neither senile nor delinquent. They loved Missoula and were strong supporters of its cultural life, particularly the musical and performing arts. Norman was a fine jazz pianist who played gigs with the Town and Gown Music Appreciation Society until his hearing loss became too severe. He lived his last years happily tending to his large yard, his beloved backyard pool, and his cat and best buddy, Zen. He always said the secret to his long life was that he married a Canadian nurse.

Norman and Mary, who died in 2007, have been cremated, and their ashes will be interred at a place to be determined by the family, which plans a private memorial. To honor Norman's memory, if you're inclined, please make a donation to your favorite charity
Read Norman Taylor's Obituary and Guestbook on www.missoulafuneralhomes.com.