Norman Glenn Smith

Norman Glenn Smith, Retired United States Air Force Chief Master Sergeant, originally from Bingham, Maine and currently of Manchester, Tennessee has taken his last flight into the “Wild Blue Yonder”. Born on January 6, 1937, he passed away on December 29, 2014 at the grand old age of 77. He entered the US Air Force on June 23, 1954, thirteen days after graduating, last in his class, from Bingham High School on June 10, 1954 in his home town. He retired from active duty with the US Air Force on August 31, 1974 at the age of 37 and again from US Civil Service at the age of 56. During his highly successful military career, after finishing basic training at Sampson AFB, NY, he served at Atterbury AFB, IN, Royal Air Force Station Molesworth in the UK, Dow AFB, ME, Whellus AB Libya, MacDill AFB, FL, Langley AFB, VA, Tan Son Nhut, AB, Republic of Vietnam, Pease AFB, NH and finally Fuchu AB, Japan before retiring. The first ten years of his military career he served as an Administrative Specialist and Personnel Technician advancing from a Basic Air to Technical Sergeant. He then cross-trained into the Club Management career field and served first as the Manager of Dow AFB Officer’s Club, ME. From 1964-1965, this club was rated the “Best in SAC” during his tenure. Next he served at Wheelus AB, Libya NCO Club from 1965-1967, MacDill AFB NCO , FL in 1968. He then served as the Tactical Air Command Open Mess Superintendent, Langley AFB, VA in 1969, Tan Son Nhut AB, Vietnam, NCO Club in 1970, Pease AFB, NH, NCO Club in 1971 and finally ended his active duty career as Chief Open Mess Branch Headquarters 5th Air Force Fuchu AS Japan from 1972 to 1974. He was promoted to the highest enlisted grade of Chief Master Sergeant with only 17 ½ years, the enlisted grade that permitted only 1% of the active duty enlisted personnel to serve in. During his final year on active duty, he also enjoyed the distinction of being in the top 15% of the aforementioned 1% to receive Superior Performance Pay. His active duty award and decorations were in descending order: The Bronze Star, the Meritorious Service Medal with one Oak Leaf Cluster, the Air Force Commendations Medal with three Oak Leaf Cluster, the air Force Outstanding Unit award with one Oak Leaf Cluster and Combat “V” device, the Air Force Good Conduct Medal with three Oak Leaf Clusters, The Good Conduct Medal with two Bronze Clasps, the Nation Defense Service Medal with one Bronze Star, the Vietnam Service Medal with four Bronze Stars, the Air Force Longevity Ribbon with four Oak Leaf Clusters, the Air Force Noncommissioned Officer Academy Medal, the Air Force Small Arms Expert Marksmanship Ribbon, the Republic of Vietnam Air Service Medal Honor Class, the Republic of Vietnam Gallantry Cross with Palm and the Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal. Within two months following retirement from active duty, he embarked on a civilian career with his beloved Air Force that spanned 16 years. Initially he served as a Non-appropriated Fund employee, as the Chief Open Mess and Financial Management Officer at Headquarters Air Force Systems Command, Andrews AFB, Maryland from 1974 till 1975. He then accepted an appointment in the US Civil Service and was employed at Camp Amsterdam, Netherlands where he served as the Installation Club Manager and later as the Non-appropriated Fund Financial Management Officer (NAFFMO) from 1975 till 1976. Then upon earning a promotion to GS-12, he became the first civilian Chief of the Moral, Welfare and Recreation Division at Pope AFB, NC from 1977 till 1978. A five year overseas assignment followed during which he served as the NAFFMO at RAF Upper Heyford, UK from 1979 till 1980 and then receiving a promotion to GM-13 he served as Chief at Open Mess and Club Division Headquarters, USAFE, Ramstein AB, Germany in 1981 and finally as Director, MWR Headquarters, Third Air Force, RAF, Mildenhall, UK from 1982-1983. Following five years in Europe he exercised his return rights to his permanent position, Chief, MWR Division, Pope, AFB, NC, remaining there until 1985 when he accepted the prestigious position of the General Manager of the MacDill AFB, FL, Officer’s Club. He remained there until 1987 until transferring to Francis E. Warren AFB, WY to serve as the Installation Club Manager. In 1988 he moved to Hill AFB, UT, as the NCO Club Manager. While at Hill AFB, he opted for a deferred retirement from civil service and returned to Florida to pursue his career in civilian club management. He returned to civil service in 1992 and served at Ankara Air Station, Turkey as the Consolidated Club Manager and permanently retired from civil service on April 3, 1993. During his civilian career with the US Air Force he received an Air Force Systems Command Certificate of Merit in 1975, an Outstanding Performance and Quality Step Increase in 1980, four Superior Performance Awards in 1983, 1985, 1986 and 1987, two Notable Achievement Awards in 1989 and an Outstanding Performance Award in 1989. In his professional career he was a 30 year member of the Club Managers Association of America (CMAA) where he earned the prestigious title of Certified Club Manager (CCM), was re-certified a number of times and a member of the CMAA 500 Honor Society. He was among the first military club managers to receive the CCM designation by formal testing. His civilian club management career consisted of service as the first General Manager of the Country Club at Jacaranda West, Venice, FL, General Manager of the Isles Yacht Club, Punta Gorda, FL and General Manager of the Tower Club, Monroe, LA. In retirement he also performed as an Adjunct Professor at Edison Community College, Punta Gorda, FL and as his last working position, a Professional Tutor at Saint Leo University for 2000 to 2005. From Saint Leo University he received a Certificate of Appreciation and “Thanks for five years of exemplary service to Saint Leo University students”. Norm earned an Associate in Arts and a Bachelor of Business Administration, both in 1978, from Campbell College, Buies Creek, NC. Continuing his quest for knowledge he earned a Master of Science in Management Degree from Troy State University, Troy, AL in 1980. He also completed a number of military schools which included the US Army Open Mess Management School, Fort Lee, VA in 1969, Chief Morale, Welfare and Recreation School, Keesler AFB, MS in 1977 and the Air Command and Staff College, Nonresident Program, Ramstein AB, Germany in 1982. In addition to his parents, the late Robert and Alice Smith, Mr. Smith was preceded in death by his first wife, Myrna Coleman Smith, who was originally from Kettering, England; one grandchild, John Golder and two brothers, Darryl and Ronald Smith. Mr. Smith is survived by his devoted and loving wife of 2 years, Helen Holton Berry Smith of Manchester; two children, Jo Ann Golder of St. Petersburg, FL and Tim Robert Smith of Las Vegas, NV and two grandchildren Justin and Jennifer Golder. Justin is a proud soldier in the US Army. He is also survived by five great grandchildren, Kristopher, Kaden, Jazlynn, Sophia and Kolton; four sisters, Dorothy Smith of Baltimore, MD, Roberta Burr of St. Petersburg, FL, Sharon Taylor of Clearwater, FL and Kathleen Provost of Brandenburg, KY; one brother, Wayne Smith of Moscow, ME and a number of nieces and nephews both of the US and UK. Norm was an avid golfer who, perhaps unfortunately, never did achieve scoring that coveted “hole-in-one”, although he diligently kept trying to for years and years. He particularly enjoyed annual visits to St. George, Quebec to participate in a French immersion program to gain a better knowledge of the French language. Additionally he attempted to play the guitar and electronic keyboard, although he had somewhat of a “tin ear” when it came to music so never did do very well in this endeavor. He was a lifetime member of the Air Force Sergeant’s Association and the Air Force Association. Norm was very proud of his heritage that included direct linage back to the Mayflower, the Revolutionary War and way way back to Ireland and the British Isles. He was a Maser Mason for over 50 years. Perhaps summing up of his long and fruitful journey through life, one might consider the following: As a teenager while “sticking” lumber at a local saw mill he came upon a clump of four leaf clovers. He picked quite a number of them and placed them in his wallet where upon the juice from them permanently stained his social security card. Undoubtedly this accounts for the great luck he has had though-out his life. Additionally, one might also consider the comment made under his senior year picture in the 1954 Bingham High School yearbook, which uncannily seemed to fit him though out his life: “I see the devil’s hook, and yet I cannot help nibbling at his bait”. Mr. Smith’s wishes were to be cremated with no services. In lieu of flowers, his wish was for memorial donations to be made to the Air Force Aid Society. His cremated remains will be interred in his family plot in the Bingham, ME town cemetery along with his first wife, Myrna Smith. May he R.I.P. Online condolences may be made at www.davesculbertsonfuneralhome.com DAVES-CULBERSTON FUNERAL HOME IS IN CHARGE OF ARRANGEMENTS

Norman Glenn Smith

January 16, 1937 - December 29, 2014