Our View: Norm Gorder – Do a little volunteer work in his honor

Havre has a long tradition of people who do volunteer work for the community good.

But it will take future generations a lot if they are to match the commitment Norm Gorder has shown this special spot on the earth over the last 77 years.

Norm died at age 96 last week, volunteering right up until the end.

It will take several young people to match the commitment — and the energy — that Norm put into his community work over the 77 years he lived in Havre.

Norm offered the same kind of commitment to his employer and its customers. During his nearly half century at Heltne’s Service Center, old customers and family members recall, always putting in extra time to provide customers with quality service.

His largest commitment was probably at First Lutheran Church, where he contributed thousands of hours of work both during services and in special projects over the last seven decades.

His unswerving dedication to the Havre Lions Club was an example for all people who are service club members. He served in numerous capacities in the many projects the Lions are involved in, especially the many sight-saving programs the club undertakes.

People throughout the area today are feeling the effects of his volunteer work — many probably have no idea how Norm affected their lives.

Norm attended Montana State University-Northern in the first days when it was still Northern Montana College. Students today are benefitting from his work that raised money for scholarships and equipment purchases made because of his work on the foundation bod.

People in need of food or emergency housing can thank Norm for his work for the Salvation Army.

People who sustained war injuries receive benefits because of Norm’s work with Veterans of Foreign Wars.

The volunteer work he provided for the Havre Area Chamber of Commerce has made the business life in this community better.

The list can go on and on. There are few people in the area who have not directly or indirectly benefitted from Norm and his work.

There are lots of tributes people can make to his honor, but the best, we suspect, would be just to sign up to do a little volunteer work for any of the many groups Norm helped out over the years.

With Norm’s passing, they will be looking for some extra help. Why not offer some?