Norman Van Lier Obituary

No man was ever a greater example of toughness and integrity on a basketball court than Norm Van Lier. Of course he came from the heart and soul of men's men, western PA! May his family be blessed with the best memories of their lost loved one.

Midland, PA has truly lost a great man in the history books of sports. We called him "Ookie". A ball playin' machine. May God grant you peace as you go through this time of sorrow

im a soldier serving here in iraq. it deeply saddens me that one of chicago's finest has passed away. im a lil younger. but norm was a great man. a great human being. i will miss seeing him. a loss but a great gain to jesus in heaven.

Growing up in Chicago, Norm was one of my idols. I admired his hustle and tenacity on those Bulls teams of the 70’s. Later, I had the privilege of meeting and working with Norm during the early days of WSCR “The Score”. He was one of the most honest and personable people I ever met in sports, or in broadcasting. The world feels a little emptier knowing that he is not in it.

Norm Van Lier was truly a legend. We use to always watch him play at the old Chicago Stadium. He was a straight forward guy and we miss him terribly.

Our condolences to Norm's family.

I was not yet alive to see Stormin' Norman play with his #2 jersey at the old Stadium, but just his passion for the Bulls and the overall game of basketball, his knowledge of it too, plus his ability to make us Bulls fans laugh & cry with his crazy antics, give him every right and reason to have his number retired/hanging from the rafters of the UC! You will be missed, Norm...God Bless!!!

Although I never knew him personally, I went to all of the home games at Midland High School in 1964 and 1965 with my friends. I was around 11 at the time, but I was fascinated at the skill that Norm and his team mates displayed. I remember when the team won the PIAA state championship. I followed his playing in college then with the Chicago Bulls. He never forgot his western Pennsylvania roots and his hometown, Midland. My deepest sympathy to his mother, his wife, children, and family. He was truly a basketball great and a wonderful member of all of the communities where he belonged.

I knew Norman when I worked for the Bulls Organization in the 60's - Norman was known as Stormin Norman and also "hot dog" - he was so magical and fun - you were truly blessed to have him in your family. God Bless you!

to the family of Norm:
I have loved the Bulls from 1970's on. I met Norm then and what a character! Very colorful and a go-getter. I will always love the Bulls. They will always be Number One! Norm and Chet Walker and Bob Love and Bob Weiss and Jerry Sloan were the greatest. Glory Days, gone forever. I loved that team. What a team.

This Chicago legend will be truly missed!

I had the honor of meeting Norm about 7 years ago and he truly knew how to make a person laugh when they needed it. His love for the Bulls and for The Rolling Stones truly showed. I loved to listen to his stories growing up and most recently when his high school honored him. His love for his family was more than can be explained. His face would light up when he talked about his granddaughter.

Norm, I will miss you deeply. Thank you for having the honor to meet a true Chicago Legend and for being a friend.

As you always said "Peace, Love & Happiness"!

I met Norm when I was 13 years old. He took me with him to a Bulls - Bucks game. I had the privilege of meeting many of the stars of that day. None was bigger to me than Norman. He always signed my year books when I was in high school. He would always write, "It's nice 2 be important, but more important 2 be nice". Norman was a very strong influence in my life, I always followed his career and always felt pride in anything that he did. I am now 49 years old, and I never forgot him. He was like an older brother or uncle. When I heard about his passing, it hit me pretty hard. I respected him and I loved him. Go with God Norman, I will never forget you.

Dear Van Lier Family-
Thank you for sharing Norman with us here in Chicago. He loved our city as much as we loved him, Let's retire #2 to the rafters at the U/C. God Bless you all.

we are the Leopards

Norm, you always sailed on the courts, so now your sailing in the skies . much love.

Norman was a true son of Midland, Pennsylvania. He never forgot the town or the people he knew. Norman was a fixture at the Class of '65 reunions. We will miss him and the joy he gave us.

Norm Van Lier was truly a Chicago sports legend and a good man. I'll never forget the days when the Bulls practiced at DePaul. Norm was always the one to stop and talk for awhile. He will be missed.

I never met Norm Van Lier, never shook his hand or got his autograph. But I always loved listening to him analyze the Bulls. He was always honest and he always loved the Bulls. I will miss him.

Norm and I were best of friends and roommates for three years. I called him Junior and had the honor of knowing Susan, Hedi and Baby Hill. There was not a day that went by that Junior did not talk about his girls and how much he missed seeing them everyday. Love you Junior!!!!!

I was so sorry to hear of your loss. The thoughts of many are with you at this time of sorrow.

Dear Van Lier Family:

Like many, I remember Norm's playing career. He wore #2, but was always #1. However, I wish to remember Norm as one of the nicest people I never met. He and I talked several times over the phone and I will always cherish those conversations. Norm was an intense individual, but a gifted one as well. His love of music and people, made him a rare breed for a former athlete, who normally shuns the public. I really enjoyed his days as one half of the "Bull and the Bear" radio show with Doug Buffone. There wasn't a day that Norm wouldn't make you laugh and forget your worries.

Norm may not have received the accolades he deserved, but he earned something many do not; the respect and love of his family, friends and peers.

This is a loss that is difficult to accept. I am just so fortunate to have had those special conversations with him.

To you, his family, I hope you will embrace the many memories of him that I will and realize as I have, I was lucky to have him touch my life.

My deepest condolences to you all.

Norm I loved you the day I met you....if you knew Norm, you would know why I am saying that. It was his contagious smile and his laugh and that twinkle in his eyes. I have known Norm for about 20 years and in that time I have laughed and had so many great memories with him and my family. He was the best of friends to my father....they had been through everything together and shared many secrets that noone will every know. He loved people and people loved him....and for a good reason; yes he was a star basketball player but he was so much more, he was a great father to his girls and a wonderful grandfather to his granddaughter. He loved them with his heart and soul and as he talked about them you could just see his face light up with love almost so that he wanted to cry. He was so proud of his girls and couldn't talk more about his granddaughter. Most importantly he was a friend, a friend like you had in the old days, a real friend, a friend that you can say anything to and not feel embarrassed or that he would judge you, a friend that you could tell a secret to and know he would never tell anyone, a friend who you were proud to call a friend. I was proud and happy and lucky to have known Norm and I know he is up in heaven happy and laughing and wishing that everyone would celebrate his life and not be sad; although it's hard, Norman Van Lier's life did have so much to be celebrated. He was a man of the people, a man of his word and most importantly a gentleman. May he rest in peace and know that he was indeed loved by everyone and watch as his #2 is lifted to the alters as he was lifted by Gods hands to heaven. I love you Norm and I miss you already. Hear my prayers and continue to smile and laugh.....a sound I will always hear in my head! I am a lucky person to have known you and my father is even luckier to have been thru thick and thin with you throughout the years. Please lay your hand on his shoulder and let him know you are OK, as his heart is broken and he is lost without you. As I always said when I said good bye to you..."Cant wait to see you again Norm!"

My best wishes to Norm's family, and sorry for your loss. Norm and I worked Chicago Bulls radio broadcasts at WVON and WGCI with Jim Durham in the late 1970's and early 1980's. I enjoyed our relationship, and will miss him dearly.

Keep on stormin' Norman!! You were the best!!

Celebrating a life well lived. We will cherish the memories forever.