Obituary
Norman Zalkin, age 98, of Skokie, served honorably in the U.S. Air Force during WWII; beloved husband for 70 wonderful years of Velva, nee Fisch; loving father of Terri (Gary) Foreman and Carol (Gary) Hart; adored Pops of David (Amanda) Hart, Matthew (Lindsey) Foreman, Joel (Liz) Hart, Amanda (Thomas) Geoffrion, and Jeri Hart; proud great grandfather of Miles, Clara, Eva, and Brooks; devoted son of the late Herman and the late Tillie Zalkin; cherished brother of the late Frank (late Florence) Zalkin and the late Arthur Zalkin; treasured brother-in-law, uncle, cousin, and friend to many. Norman will be remembered for his loving nature, great sense of humor, pride in serving his country, and devotion to his family. Private graveside service Friday. The service will be livestreamed at 1:30 p.m. CT at www.goldmanfuneralgroup.com. Under Recent Services, click onto Norm’s photograph and scroll down to Service Details to view his service. In lieu of flowers, contributions would be appreciated to Honor Flight Chicago, 9701 W. Higgins Rd., Rosemont, IL 60018, www.honorflightchicago.org. Info: The Goldman Funeral Group (847) 478-1600.
WORLD WAR II PATRIOT
Norman Zalkin, age 98, passed away of natural causes surrounded by loved ones on December 7, 2021. He was born December 19, 1923, to Herman and Tillie Zalkin of Chicago, Illinois. Norm had a successful career as a wholesale jeweler in the family business established by his father, retiring in the late 1970’s.
His greatest sources of pride were his family and his World War II service.
Norm enlisted in the United States Air Force on December 2, 1942, 17 days before his 19th birthday. He flew the last of 52 combat missions on August 18, 1944. Two days later, he flew to Rome and saw the Pope, according to the book he wrote with his daughters documenting his time in the Air Force.
Norm served as a radio operator and gunner on the B-17 “Flying Fortress” in the 15th Air Force, 99th Bomb Group, 348th Squadron. The 15th Air Force was stationed in Foggia, Italy. On D-Day, June 6, 1944, the day of the Normandy invasion, his B-17 flew a diversionary mission to Romania only to find out later that U.S. troops had landed on the beaches of Normandy.
In April 2008, Norm attended an event honoring the Tuskegee Airmen who he felt saved his life and the lives of his crew in their 14th mission on April 24, 1944. On that day, they were attacked by enemy fighters and radioed for help. Soon, fighter planes (P51’s) arrived, fought off the enemy and escorted them back home. “On the way back, we noticed these fighter pilots who had come to our rescue were the Tuskegee Airmen. Bless them!”, recounted Norm in his diary entry from that day.
Norm was a calm, affable, easygoing man who was loved by everyone who knew him. He also had great presence. These traits served him well when faced with another life-defining moment. In April 1990, when having lunch with his wife, Vel, and granddaughter, Amanda, at Perimeter Mall in Atlanta, gunshots began to ring out. Instinctively, the three of them fell to the ground with Norm shielding his wife and one-year old granddaughter. Sadly, one person was killed that day and four were wounded. But, when the gunman went to reload his gun, Norm stood up, walked up to the gunman and calmly told him to put the gun down, talking him out of shooting anyone else. The gunman, instead of reloading his gun, threw it into a wastebasket.
In the Associated Press account of the shooting, Col. M.F. Ferguson said, “There may be a hero in this thing. We still don’t know who he is, but we’d sure like to talk to him. We’d like to know what he said to him.” Norm later contacted the police and anonymously let them know he indeed was that hero.
Norm is survived by his loving wife, Vel, who he adored throughout their 70 years of marriage. He was a cherished father and father-in-law to his daughters and sons-in-law, Terri (Gary) Foreman and Carol (Gary) Hart. He was beloved by his grandchildren David (Amanda) Hart, Matthew (Lindsey) Foreman, Amanda (Thomas) Geoffrion, Joel (Liz) Hart, and Jeri Hart. He also was blessed with four great-grandchildren, Miles and Clara Hart, and Eva and Brooks Foreman. He was a devoted brother to the late Frank (Florence) Zalkin, and was a cherished brother-in-law, uncle, cousin, and friend to many.
Norm was an ordinary man with an extraordinary life. He will be dearly missed.
Arrangements by Goldman Funeral Group. www.goldmanfuneralgroup.com