Norm Albers, A Passionate Patriot and Educator

Born 85 years ago, Norm Alpers grew up on a 500-acre vegetable farm in Colfax, Illinois. When he was 15 years old, his father passed away. He and his mother continued to raise corn and beans at the farm until he left for college at the University of Illinois at Champaign, Illinois. "I had lots of time to think before heading to college."

Norm graduated from the University of Illinois with a degree in Liberal Arts, specializing in History, in 1962. Norm was a member of the Army Reserve ROTC program throughout his time at U of I. He spent a total of 28 years in the Reserves. He served many years at Fort Bliss in Texas. He was commissioned as a Lieutenant Colonel. Norm decided to retire from the military in 1965. He applied to Hononegah Community High School for a position teaching History and Social Studies. He got the job and moved his family to Rockton. While at Honoegah, he earned a master's degree in Political Science and later became an assistant principal before retiring in 1994.

Norm and his wife, Kay, married when they were 19 years old. Norm was a sophomore at U of I. They met in 8th grade and have been together 66 years. They are parents of four daughters and five grandchildren. All four daughters live in the Rockton area.

In 2024, Gayle Haab, a volunteer for VetsRoll, and Mark Finnegan, founder of VetsRoll, talked him into joining other senior veterans in a four-day bus trip to Washington, DC. The yearly excursion honors and pays tribute to veterans and Rosie the Riveters, especially those who fought in World War II. They visit memorials, share experiences, and make new friends. There is no cost to the veterans. Volunteers donate their time to accompany and assist the war heroes.

"It was an unforgettable experience, Norm said. "I felt like I was part of a brotherhood."