Norman O. Mick

On June 12, 2023, Norman O. Mick passed away after an unexpected serious illness, that thankfully was short in duration. His loss has left all of his family and close friends in profound shock and sadness.

He is survived by his siblings, Sharon, Monica, Maggie, Tommy, Grace, Marc, Margaret, Diana, Joanne, Chris and their partners. Family was very important to Norm and he enjoyed being a part of a large one. He leaves behind many cousins, nieces and nephews that will miss him dearly at all family gatherings to come. He was preceded in death by his mother Helen Shantz, stepfather Tom Shantz, and father Norman Mick.

Norm grew up in Wilmette, Illinois. He went west at 19 years old to attend Cal Maritime in Vallejo, CA, graduating in 1978 with a BS in Marine Engineering.

Norm was always curious about all things in the nautical, engineering and science worlds, and had a varied professional life in each. He first worked for Mobile Oil as an engineer in their West Coast fleet of ships. While traveling the oceans for the next 10 years, he saw much of the world and thoroughly enjoyed the life of a seaman. When he was ready for a change, he moved to Seattle and completed an MBA from the University of Washington.

Norm then moved back to Chicago to work in the family business, Midwest Components, eventually running the business so that his stepfather Tom Shantz could retire. Norm was a charming and friendly person and could meet new people with ease. He enjoyed the business of supplying needed manufacturing parts to many businesses and he made it look easy.

Norm was a volunteer at the Museum of Science and Industry for many years, teaching children how much fun science could be. When it was time to sell the family business and move on, he embraced this love of science, forming a partnership to open Mad Science of Chicago. For 14 years he helped thousands of children experience the wonders of science.

Norman was a longtime and avid skier, never losing his appreciation of the mountains during the chairlift or gondola ride to the top. The 360 degree view of the mountains’ majesty was an inspiration for him to ski any terrain. From the chutes to the mogul fields to the tree runs, Norm was at ease, and in his element.

In his later years he picked up mountain biking (if only to play in the mountains longer), riding the likes of Moab, Mary’s Loop, Keystone, and Crested Butte. One day, on a crisp, clear, Colorado morning in a wide-open pasture, with the golden colors of fall and the first dusting of snow, overlooking the Elk Mountain Range, Norman commented that he felt he had died and gone to heaven at the indescribable view in front of him. We hope that is the view he took with him when he left this world, may he rest in peace.

A Memorial Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Tuesday, August 1, 2023 at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church in St. Joseph, Minnesota. Visitation one hour prior. His ashes will be placed in our Mother’s burial plot as per his wishes. She would have delighted in this gesture of his!

On August 19th 2023, in Chicago is a celebration of Norm. Please go to this link for details (https://tinyurl.com/NormEvent) or email Norm.event.0819@gmail.com.

Donations may be made in honor of Norm to Sail Chicago (Sailchicago.org/donate). Sail Chicago is a volunteer-run organization which combines Norm’s love of sailing, teaching and volunteerism by doing outreach into the community to make sailing accessible for everyone.