Norman Richard Corbin passed away peacefully the morning of April 5, 2012 in San Ramon, CA. He was born in Wellsville, New York on July 5, 1921, as a twin to sister Norma, to loving parents Manley Noble Corbin and Margaret Howe Corbin. The only boy with three sisters, he grew up in Belmont, New York where he played baseball as a boy as “Dickie Corbin”. He attended SUNY - Cortland Teacher’s College in New York where he received a degree in Physical Education in 1947. “Norm” earned his Teaching Credential at the University of San Francisco and completed his Masters and Doctoral coursework in Education Administration at St. Louis University. He was a life-long educator, most notably as a beloved Principal at Madison High school in East Illinois in the 1970’s where he was known to walk the halls getting to know the kids and bridging a tumultuous racial divide by reinvigorating programs in the Arts and sports programs. Madison High won the State basketball championship during his time as Principal. A natural athlete, Norm loved baseball and along with being a coach, was slated to try out for the New York Yankees but his dream was thwarted by entering active duty in World War II where he served in the 42nd Bomb Squadron. He was also in the Air Force from 1951-54 during the Korean War. His love for the game of baseball never waned, coaching his sons’ teams and remaining an avid fan. Norm also loved the game of golf and to say he had a passion for it would be an understatement! In his retirement, he taught private golf lessons to numerous students in several towns where he lived in Missouri and California. A lover of many genres of music, Norm was a drummer for a jazz band “The Hottentots” as a young man. He absolutely loved to sing and could be heard harmonizing in church, around the family piano, driving in the car, and around the house. He inspired a great love for music in his children and it is for certain he is keeping a lively two-part harmony with daughter Colleen in Heaven. Norm’s greatest love and legacy was his wife and family. He married Marian Ruth Kelly on his birthday in 1947, no doubt his favorite birthday gift ever. He raised his family in Livermore and Napa, California, and Kirkwood (St. Louis), Missouri; returning to California in 1984. With such a large family, he had his own team for summer backyard volleyball matches, golf partners in his sons, and dance partners in his daughters. Norm relished family gatherings on holidays where he would preside at the top of the dinner table for hours as master of ceremonies, storyteller, and entertainer. He was a great people-person and took tremendous pride in telling absolutely everyone he met about his family. He was once asked if he ever regretted having such a large family. His response was, "Spend 5 minutes with any one of my children and you'll have your answer". Norm leaves behind his loving wife of 65 years, Marian Kelly Corbin and his six children, Kurt (Jane) Corbin, Miles (Grace) Corbin, John (Jeanne) Corbin, Richard (Linda) Corbin, Maureen (Frankie) Aceves, and Mary (Tom McGuire) Corbin; five grandchildren; Myles (Heather) Corbin, Marilyn and Chelsea Corbin, Christopher and Sofia Aceves; and 3 great-grandchildren; Sophie, Finn, and Ellie Corbin; and sister Carol Francisco. He is pre-deceased by daughter Colleen Corbin who passed at the age of 29 in 1985; his twin sister Norma Francisco, and sister Virginia Corbin who passed at the age of 21. Norm’s presence was large, a loving father and husband who possessed a generosity of spirit, a sharp wit and sense of humor, compassion and a warm heart. A web site in his honor has been created for visitors to view photographs and memories at norman.corbin.muchloved.com, and where you can add your stories and condolences.