Norman Sodman's Obituary
Norman Ludwig Sodman, 98
October 25, 1921- February 21, 2020
Beloved husband, brother, father, grandfather, great-grandfather, uncle, and friend passed away at Sequoia Hospital in Redwood City, CA, February 21, 2020. Norm was born one of 6 children in Anoka, Minnesota, on October 25, 1921, to Herman and Caroline (Mueller) Sodman.
His sister Marcy remembers their growing up years…how everybody depended on him to keep their spirits up and help out, how he watched out for her when she went on dates, and how popular “Soddy” was with friends. Having skipped 2 grades, Norm graduated from high school at age 16 and, being too young to enlist, worked until he could join the National Guard. He was called up during his first year in college.
Norm served in the European theater in WWII as a First Lieutenant in the U. S. Army. He was awarded a Silver Star Medal for gallantry in action in Germany. He "accompanied an assault company and, despite murderous fire, set up an observation post in a building which was receiving constant enemy shellfire. Despite the intense personal danger, Lieutenant Sodman remained at his post and directed effective artillery fire on the enemy until the end of the operation. His action, far above and beyond the call of duty, is in keeping with the finest traditions of the American officer and reflect the highest credit on Lieutenant Sodman..."
After the war, on July 13, 1945, he married Helen L. Rutherford in Casper, WY, and had two children, Steven Rutherford and Andrea Louise.
Norm earned his Bachelor of Science in Agronomy from Colorado A&M College in 1948, and during his career, worked in 11 countries on 4 continents in various aspects of agricultural development. He managed a broad range of efforts, from figuring the best crop to provide the highest yield of protein given particular conditions to building by hand a small earthen dam for watering crops to devising a method for preventing desert sand from blowing across a newly built airport tarmac.
Later in life, Norm volunteered seasonally as a tax preparer for senior services and served on the board at Messiah Lutheran Church in Redwood City, CA, where he was a member for 59 years. His primary sport and social outlet was his involvement with the Seniors in Retirement bowling league where he found great fun and deep friendships.
Norm was devoted to his family and is lovingly remembered by his surviving relatives: sister Marcella Johnson of Anoka, MN; daughter Andrea Dugan of Coeur d'Alene, ID; his granddaughters, Rachel (Dave) Ortolan of Half Moon Bay, CA, and Katie (Todd) Shinn of Glen Ellen, CA; great grandchildren Sabina Ortolan, Norman Shinn, Amelia Ortolan, and Louise Shinn. His wife Helen, son Steve, and 4 siblings (Ida Schwab, Paul Sodman, Baby Sodman, and Martha Hitzman) predeceased him. We all remember his quiet humor, inventive mind, indomitable spirit, loving heart, and ever-present support.
No service will be held at this time due to the Covid 19 pandemic.
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