Cover photo for Robert Burnell Norris's Obituary
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Robert Burnell Norris

July 17, 1949 — April 29, 2024

Johns Island, South Carolina

Robert Burnell Norris

Robert Burnell Norris, 74, of Seabrook Island, SC, passed away Monday, April 29, 2024.

Bob was born on July 17, 1949, in Greenville, SC.  He was the only child of the late Hazel Price Norris and the late Murray Burnell Norris.

Very early in his life, the Norris family relocated from South Carolina to New Jersey where Bob attended school, graduating from Bloomfield High School and then Rutgers University in 1972.  He served his country as a member of the New Jersey Air National Guard.  Bob then had a long and varied career as a federal bank regulator working for more than 30 years with the US Comptroller of the Currency.  He received his commission as a National Bank Examiner in 1978.  During his career, Bob had postings at the New York, Dallas, and Washington DC offices. 

Bob relished time with family and loved to wine and dine with friends, old and new.  He was proudly a "city guy from Jersey." Standing at a lanky 6'6" with a keen intellect, a trove of movie knowledge, an endearing sense of humor and easy, frequent laugh, he always left an impression.  An avid sports fan, his game was golf, and he was never happier than being on the course with his son.  But he would say he was never more frustrated than watching his beloved New York Giants.  Bob was especially close to his in-laws, and enjoyed many family cruises with the Fetner family that took Bob and his family all over the world.  Bob had story after story about those trips with Scott and Joanne, Scotty and Caroline, Peggy and Brian, Martha, his nieces and nephews, and of course his wife Sue and son Drew.

In addition to his parents, Bob is preceded in death by his wife, Susan Fetner Norris, who lost her battle with pancreatic cancer in 2012.  Sue was also a National Bank Examiner, and she and Bob ended their careers with the Comptroller in the Washington DC office before retiring and eventually building a home on Seabrook Island in 2011. 

Bob is survived by his son Andrew "Drew" Norris (Julia Babel) of Richmond, VA; and his newborn  grandson, Calvin Robert Norris.  He is also survived by first wife, Barbara Healey and the rest of his "OCC family," for whom Bob held a special place in his memories.

The family plans to hold a memorial service for Bob at a later date and at a location to be determined.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Pancreatic Cancer Action Network, the American Cancer Society, Alzheimer's Association, Seabrook Island Backpack Buddies, or the Seabrook Island Green Space Conservancy.

Expressions of sympathy may be viewed or submitted online at mcalister-smith.com.  Arrangements have been entrusted to McAlister-Smith Funeral and Cremation, 2501 Bees Ferry Road, Charleston, SC 29414, (843) 722-8371.


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