Norman Kopp Obituary

Kopp, Norman S.

June 2, 1943-January 14, 2021

What can I say about my loving partner for life, Norm Kopp? A better question would be how can I stop talking about Norm? Norm was such a special person, a modern take on the Renaissance Man. Norm's interests were wide and varied. Although he spent most of his life working with computers, he once ran the second largest goat farm in Arizona; he was the owner of Cats, a specialty cat-themed gift shop in Evanston, Illinois; he served with the Illinois National Guard at the very beginning of the Vietnam War, and he taught computer programming at Oakton Community College, Des Plaines/Skokie, Illinois.

The first thing Norm asked me on the night we met at a very 80s single bar was, "Do You like cats?" Wrong question for in no time we had 9 cats and many others than the original 9 over the years. He did, however, draw the line at double digits.

After his retirement, Norm became a regular student at Elgin Community College, where he earned an Associate Degree, completing college work started at the University of Illinois, Navy Pier in 1961 after graduating from Senn High School in Chicago. However, his education didn't end there as he continued taking all the available classes in the graphic arts department of Elgin Community College before moving on to taking either a history or political science class or two each semester.

Norm was a collector of Ernest Hemingway first editions. Sometimes he saw himself as a "Hemingwayesque" figure as a result of our many trips to Spain and the many bullfights we attended. Through a friend, we enjoyed being part of an outer fringe of the remaining Hemingway circle in Madrid.

Wine and fine dining were among his interests which is not to say he didn't enjoy a hamburger and a beer in a greasy spoon on our trips. He was fascinated with American Indian culture and collected Indian art, loved animals, read fiction and non-fiction widely, was interested in family genealogy, was involved in SASS cowboy shooting, built an N gauge model railroad layout in our basement, and loved Lifetime channel Christmas movies. Norm was a stamp collector, and his collection of Faroe Island cancelled envelopes from World War II was an award winner.

In the last part of his life, Norm's interests centered on travel, photography, and birding. Together, in addition to Spain, we traveled to Iceland, France, Italy, and England as well a all 50 states of the U.S. Norm was an avid Green Bay Packers and University of Wisconsin fan, and we went to the 1993 Rose Bowl game in Pasadena and spent the Millennium New Years at a 5 star hotel in London.

Norm was an amazing bird photographer. He loved birds and was constantly reading and learning about them and trying to add to his life list. His bird photography often won awards at the Crystal Lake Camera Club to which he belonged. His bird photography can be seen at http://normkopp.smugmug.com

Norm made friends wherever he went. He was bright, funny, generous, caring and always interesting. His reserve of facts, especially about history, was amazing. He always supported me in everything I did.

Norm Stephen Kopp, 77, was born in Chicago, Illinois on June 2, 1943 to Mildred (Kaplan) Kopp and Harold Kopp. Norm is survived by his partner for life, Sandra Wittman, Carpentersville, Illinois, his sister Una Susan (Kopp) Kobrin, Nevada City, California, his niece Rachel (Kobrin) Goldberg and nephew Dr. Scott Goldberg of Passaic, New Jersey, and their children Yehuda, Goldie, Dovi, and Netanel as well as his beloved cat Oscar and his many friends. He was loved.

Because of the Covid-19 pandemic, of which Norm was a victim, no funeral will be held. Donations may be given to Kane County Audubon, 513 S. 13th Avenue, St. Charles, Illinois 60174. Miller Funeral Home, West Dundee is assisting the family with all arrangements. To leave an on-line condolence, please visit www.millerfuneralhomedundee.com For info, please call (847)426-3436

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