IN LOVING MEMORY OF
Philip 'Van'
Van Norman
April 5, 1914 – November 24, 2010
Obituary
Philip "Van" Van Norman passed away on Wednesday, November 24, 2010 at his home in Yerington, Nevada. He was 96.
Philip was born April 5, 1914 in Sacramento, CA. His mother, Hazel, traveled by train from Gerlach to her mother-in-law's home in Sacramento for Philip's birth. At the time they were living on their homestead north of Gerlach, NV and they were many miles from the closest doctor. The homestead was located on the northwest slope of Hog Mountain about four miles from the Leadville Mine. Philip traveled back to the homestead when he was 10-days old.
When Philip was about 5-years old the family moved to the Bare Ranch located south of Eagleville, CA. At that time his chores included the feeding of the horses. When he was about 10-years old, the family moved into Eagleville to be closer to school. Philip still frequently traveled to the Bare Ranch and worked with cattle and horses throughout his boyhood years. While at the Bare Ranch he began what proved to be almost a lifelong activity – the breeding of show pigeons.
Philip became a cowboy, working the vast range of Northern California and Nevada operated by the Gerlach Livestock Company. He also rode in the rodeo circuit in 1933-1935 roping calves.
Philip met his future wife Nora when he went to Bakersfield to visit Nora's next-door neighbor. About 10-months later, they were married on Christmas Day in 1940. They later founded Van's Heating and Air Conditioning. Philip ran the contracting operation and Nora took care of the office and bookkeeping functions. Both continued to be active in agricultural pursuits. They purchased 80-acres near Hemet, CA in 1950 and in addition to the contracting business, they farmed and raised cattle. Their three children were raised on that ranch and the entire family was very active in 4-H. Philip and Nora were
4-H leaders, Philip was a member of the Riverside County Fair Board for 24 years, and he also traveled the country judging at various livestock events. Philip was active in his local church where he was a trustee and chairman of the building committee.
Upon retirement, Philip and Nora traveled the US and Canada for about two years and eventually settled in Mason Valley. In 1977 they purchased 37 acres on the East Walker River where it intersects Hwy 208. There they raised quarter horses and a few cattle. Philip raised about 75 foals during the time he lived in Mason Valley. Philip and his brother Charlie often bought and sold horses to each other. One of Philip's horses that Charlie bought won champion-working-cow-horse for the State of Nevada.
After moving back to Nevada in 1977, Philip was very active in a variety of horse and cattle related activities including the Copper Hills Horse Club and the Lyon County Fair. Philip also enjoyed riding with local ranchers as they accomplished the annual tasks of roundup, moving cattle, branding calves, etc.
Philip retired from the horse and cattle business and moved to Smith Valley in 1993. Although the raising of large animals was over, Philip continued to raise pigeons. He relocated to the Mason Valley Residence in 2004.
Philip is survived by a daughter, Betty Rheingans (Carl) of Winchester, CA; a son, Charlie Van Norman of Wellington, NV; 8 grandchildren and 22 great grandchildren. Philip was preceded in death by his wife of 66 years, Nora; a son and daughter-in-law H. Ralph and Eileen Van Norman; a daughter-in-law, Linda Dianne Van Norman; two brothers, Charlie of Tuscarora, NV and Vernon "Peachie" of Yreka, CA; and two sisters, Valera Deeter of Janesville, CA and June Mauser of Stockton, CA.
Philip's memorial service will be held at 3:00 pm on Saturday, December 4, 2010, at the Smith Valley Baptist Church with Pastor Travis Walker officiating. Private family burial will be held at the Hillcrest Cemetery in Smith Valley.
Family and Friends may sign the online guest book at www.FRFH.net
Arrangements are under the direction of Freitas Rupracht Funeral Home 25 Hwy 208 Yerington (775) 463-2911
Donation may be made in Philip's name to Smith Valley Youth Foundation, PO Box 191, Wellington, NV 89444.
Philip was born April 5, 1914 in Sacramento, CA. His mother, Hazel, traveled by train from Gerlach to her mother-in-law's home in Sacramento for Philip's birth. At the time they were living on their homestead north of Gerlach, NV and they were many miles from the closest doctor. The homestead was located on the northwest slope of Hog Mountain about four miles from the Leadville Mine. Philip traveled back to the homestead when he was 10-days old.
When Philip was about 5-years old the family moved to the Bare Ranch located south of Eagleville, CA. At that time his chores included the feeding of the horses. When he was about 10-years old, the family moved into Eagleville to be closer to school. Philip still frequently traveled to the Bare Ranch and worked with cattle and horses throughout his boyhood years. While at the Bare Ranch he began what proved to be almost a lifelong activity – the breeding of show pigeons.
Philip became a cowboy, working the vast range of Northern California and Nevada operated by the Gerlach Livestock Company. He also rode in the rodeo circuit in 1933-1935 roping calves.
Philip met his future wife Nora when he went to Bakersfield to visit Nora's next-door neighbor. About 10-months later, they were married on Christmas Day in 1940. They later founded Van's Heating and Air Conditioning. Philip ran the contracting operation and Nora took care of the office and bookkeeping functions. Both continued to be active in agricultural pursuits. They purchased 80-acres near Hemet, CA in 1950 and in addition to the contracting business, they farmed and raised cattle. Their three children were raised on that ranch and the entire family was very active in 4-H. Philip and Nora were
4-H leaders, Philip was a member of the Riverside County Fair Board for 24 years, and he also traveled the country judging at various livestock events. Philip was active in his local church where he was a trustee and chairman of the building committee.
Upon retirement, Philip and Nora traveled the US and Canada for about two years and eventually settled in Mason Valley. In 1977 they purchased 37 acres on the East Walker River where it intersects Hwy 208. There they raised quarter horses and a few cattle. Philip raised about 75 foals during the time he lived in Mason Valley. Philip and his brother Charlie often bought and sold horses to each other. One of Philip's horses that Charlie bought won champion-working-cow-horse for the State of Nevada.
After moving back to Nevada in 1977, Philip was very active in a variety of horse and cattle related activities including the Copper Hills Horse Club and the Lyon County Fair. Philip also enjoyed riding with local ranchers as they accomplished the annual tasks of roundup, moving cattle, branding calves, etc.
Philip retired from the horse and cattle business and moved to Smith Valley in 1993. Although the raising of large animals was over, Philip continued to raise pigeons. He relocated to the Mason Valley Residence in 2004.
Philip is survived by a daughter, Betty Rheingans (Carl) of Winchester, CA; a son, Charlie Van Norman of Wellington, NV; 8 grandchildren and 22 great grandchildren. Philip was preceded in death by his wife of 66 years, Nora; a son and daughter-in-law H. Ralph and Eileen Van Norman; a daughter-in-law, Linda Dianne Van Norman; two brothers, Charlie of Tuscarora, NV and Vernon "Peachie" of Yreka, CA; and two sisters, Valera Deeter of Janesville, CA and June Mauser of Stockton, CA.
Philip's memorial service will be held at 3:00 pm on Saturday, December 4, 2010, at the Smith Valley Baptist Church with Pastor Travis Walker officiating. Private family burial will be held at the Hillcrest Cemetery in Smith Valley.
Family and Friends may sign the online guest book at www.FRFH.net
Arrangements are under the direction of Freitas Rupracht Funeral Home 25 Hwy 208 Yerington (775) 463-2911
Donation may be made in Philip's name to Smith Valley Youth Foundation, PO Box 191, Wellington, NV 89444.
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