Dr. Norman E. Witt, Sr, 88 of Palos Verdes Estates, CA, went to be with his Lord, rather suddenly on November 22, 2015. He was surrounded by family.

He was a man of unusual accomplishment, and will be missed. He was born May 2, 1927 to E.H. and Anna (Pruessing) Witt in Nebraska City. He grew up in Syracuse. He was married to Alice Thompson on November 1, 1952 in La Jolla, CA. He and Alice had two children, Norm Jr. (Monica) of Newport Beach and Nancy (Paul) Chambers of Valencia.

Dr. Witt proudly served his Country as an aircraft machinist mate in the US Navy during World War II, and later as an officer in the US Air Force. He received his BS from U of Nebraska, before entering pilot's training. He retired from the US Air Force Reserve in 1969 with the rank of Major. After active duty in the Air Force, he joined United Air Lines, and flew many different aircraft over a thirty year career. He particularly enjoyed piloting the B-747 to Honolulu and retired as a Captain in 1986.

He prepared himself for other careers to "fall back on" should he be unable to maintain his flying career. The author of several books and articles, he earned a Doctorate in Vocational and Educational Psychology at UCLA in 1969. He taught at the secondary school level within the LA Unified School District. He owned and managed several vineyard and orchard ranches in the San Joaquin Valley. In his later years, he owned Witt Realty and Loan. He still lived in the home he designed and built by himself in the years 1959-1963.

Norman was an amateur radio operator, participating in disaster preparedness programs. He also enjoyed playing the clarinet, alto and tenor sax in various bands.

His immediate loving survivors include sister Virginia Smith of Mesa, AZ, her two children and grandchildren; brother, Dwayne (Barbara) of Syracuse, NE, their two children and grandchildren. In addition to Norman's two children and former wife, Alice, he is survived by granddaughter Colleen Witt (fiancée Colin Bonnicksen) of Missoula, MT; grandsons Steven (Sheila) Witt of Tustin; Kevin (Michaelle) Witt of Encinitas, their two boys, Colton and Caden; Andrew (Jessica) Chambers of Sylmar, their son, Liam; and Cory (Andee) Chambers of Santa Ana.

A celebration of Dr. Witt's life will be held at Luther Memorial Church in Syracuse on Saturday, January 9, 2016 at 2:00 PM. Interment will be at Park Hill, Syracuse. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Wounded Warriors Project, P.O. Box 758517, Topeka, KS 66675 or to a charity of one's choice.

Arrangements By: Fusselman Allen Harvey Funeral Home, Syracuse, NE 402-269-2441