Rees Edwin Noren, CDR USN (Ret.)'s Obituary
The old Commander took his final catapult shot on June 12, 2023. He roared off rather peacefully and content that he had enjoyed a full life. He was born on 6/4/1932 in Englewood NJ. In June of 1942, his family moved to Babylon NY on Long Island and the love affair with boats and salt water began and never ended. Later, aircraft and flying were added to the love affair. When WWII ended the family moved back to NJ, but this time they moved to a unique town that his parents had learned to love, Ocean Grove.
He is survived by his loving wife of 64 years, Connie K. He is also survived by two sons, Bradley (April) and Jeffery, five grandsons, Christopher, Nicholas, Anthony, Zachary, and Benjamin. His first son Brian preceded him in death at age 60. His family was his greatest love in a life filled with love and loving.
He was predeceased by his parents Eric Edwin Noren, Emma Louise Noren (Rees) and one sister, Louise Margaret Serfass (Noren).
He learned to love Ocean Grove early on and had many friends and positive experiences there. He graduated from Neptune High School in 1950, at the head of his class. He had always wanted to attend college and obtained many scholarship offers, including several from prestigious universities such as Princeton, Rensselaer, Brown, PennState, Cornel and Dartmouth. But the one he found most interesting was University of South Carolina, where he accepted a full NROTC scholarship. He graduated in1954 with a degree in electrical engineering and was simultaneously commissioned as an Ensign in the United States Navy.
Many duty stations followed including aviation training in Pensacola, jet training in Hutchinson KS then Alaska duty and Whidbey Island WA where he met his bride to be. He was also stationed in Naples Italy, Beeville and Corpus Christi TX where he was a jet pilot instructor. Later in his career he was commanding officer of VAQ 131 in Alameda CA and Air Operations Department Head (Air Boss) aboard the USS America (CV 66), home ported in Norfolk VA. He also held various staff positions ashore.
During his time at sea he served aboard the following ships: USS Albany, USS Wisconsin, USS Monterey, USS Hancock, USS Shangri La, USS Ranger, USS Kennedy, USS America, USS Coral Sea, and USS Midway.
After 26 years and many deployments he retired at Oceana Naval Air Station, Virginia Beach VA in 1976.
After his Naval service, he began his second career as an engineer in the Recreational Vehicle industry out of Elkhart IN. After several moves within the RV manufacturing community, he retired for the second time as Vice President of Engineering at Coachmen Industries. He developed such expertise in the RV field, he began his third career as a subject matter expert witness representing many RV manufacturers in high profile litigation.
Finally, he officially retired from the working world and settled in Madeira Beach FL, where he was active in community and local politics for the remainder of his life. He and Connie also fulfilled their lifelong dreams and spent many years boating and cruising the country in an RV, visiting many family members and friends along the way.
CDR Noren will be interred at Bay Pines National Cemetery in a private ceremony on July 7. A Celebration of Life will be held at the American Legion Post 273 in Madeira Beach FL on July 8, 2:00-6:00 PM.
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