Clarendon Van Norman

Clarendon Van Norman, 90, of Monroe Township, New Jersey, died peacefully at 9:22 a.m. Sunday, April 18, 2021, in his home.

He was born August 23, 1930 at Cottage Hospital in Galesburg, Illinois, son of Clarendon Ess and Marion Valentine (Charles) Van Norman. He married Carol Emery in 1957, in New York City and later married Linda Barnes in 1978 at Amherst, in Nova Scotia, Canada.

He is survived by his wife of 43 years, Linda Van Norman of Monroe Township, New Jersey, his two sons, Mark (Shenan)Van Norman of Darnestown, Maryland, Thomas (Kali) Van Norman of Eagle Butte, South Dakota; his daughter May (Terrence) Van Norman of San Francisco, California; his sister Marilyn Van Norman of Kewanee, Illinois, as well as six grandchildren and 12 great-grandchildren. He is preceded in death by his daughter Diane and son Steven Emery.

Clarendon served in the Air Force as a Sergeant during the Korean War in the Air Force Band Airmen of Note from 1950 to 1954.

Clarendon graduated from Galesburg High School in 1948 and studied at The Julliard School in New York City. He graduated in 1957 and later went on to obtain his Doctorate in Education from Columbia University, graduating in 1965. Clarendon was apart of the Buffalo Symphony Orchestra for 2 years as the Principal French Horn player and the Chicago Symphony Orchestra as a Principal French Horn player for another 2 years. He was also part of the Metropolitan Opera for 20 years as the Co-Principal and 8 years as the 3rd French Horn player, retiring in 1990. Clarendon was a member of the Long Island Antiquarian Book Dealers Association, Rotary International and the First Presbyterian Church in Levittown, New York, where he helped with various church committees. Clarendon was also an Antiquarian book dealer and enjoyed teaching the French Horn to others.

A private Graveside Service will be at Memorial Park Cemetery in Galesburg, Illinois. Memorial contributions may be made to a charity of one’s choice. Hinchliff-Pearson-West Funeral Directors and Cremation Services Galesburg Chapel is honored to serve the family. Online condolences may be made at www.h-p-w.com.

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