East Thetford, Vermont – Norbert Alexis Whitman, 59, died peacefully surrounded by his family, Tuesday morning, March 17, 2020 at his home in East Thetford, VT.  Norbert was born January 8, 1961 in Woodsville, NH, the son of Stanley N. and Olive E. (Towle) Whitman. He attended elementary school in one of Vermont's last "one room" school houses in West Newbury, VT. He graduated from Oxbow High School in 1979 and enlisted in the US Air Force. He was stationed in Grand Forks, North Dakota and it was there that he met his future wife, Rosemary Kay Stebbins.  They fell in love and were married May 28, 1983 in Bradford, VT. Living in Bradford, VT they started their family with their 1 ^st daughter, Jennifer, a few years later adding their only son, Christopher. They moved to White River Jct., VT as a family of four where they began serving as caretakers at White River Advent Christian Camp. Their family grew with the birth of their 2 ^nd daughter, Desiree which completed their family of five. In 2004 they moved into their dream home in East Thetford, VT. In 2014 Norbert was diagnosed with ALS, he fought this disease faithfully with GOD and his family by his side. He was a loving husband, father, grandfather, brother and friend always putting others before himself and keeping everyone smiling and laughing.

Norbert was an incredible worker, after his time in the Air Force, he held jobs at Copland Furniture in Bradford, VT; PC Wholesalers in White River Jct., VT; manager of the Exxon Gas Station on Taft Avenue, in White River Jct.,VT; Trumbull-Nelson in Hanover, NH; Hartford School District for many years as a custodian, mechanic and school bus driver; and then most recently at Dayco Company as their mechanic. Norbert was extremely proud of his 30 plus years of service in the Air Force and the Vermont Air National Guard. He was a true "Mr. Fix it" even during these last couple of years people were still calling him to get advice about how to fix their cars.

He was a member of the Norwich American Legion, the Hartford Boy Scouts, West Lebanon Baptist Church and currently attended the Valley Bible Church in White River Jct., VT. He enjoyed being outdoors, traveling with his family but most of all spending time with his family especially the grandchildren.

He was predeceased by parents Stanley N. Whitman, and Olive E. (Towle) Whitman.

Norbert is survived by his wife of 36 years, Rosemary; their three children, Jennifer (Whitman) Billingham and her husband, Zachariah of Plainfield, NH, Christopher Whitman and his wife, Michelle, of Haines City, FL, Desiree (Whitman) Balch and her husband, Justin of New Boston, NH. His beloved grandchildren, Theodore Whitman, Katelyn, Ayden, Ryker Billingham and Alexis Balch. His brother, David Levi Whitman of Warwick, RI, sisters, Matilda Martel and her husband, Shawn of West Newbury, VT, Jewell Dube and her husband, Jeff of West Newbury, VT as well as many nieces, nephews and cousins.

Due Covid-19 concerns, funeral services will be held at a later date at the Valley Bible Church in White River Jct., Vt followed by burial in the Vermont Veterans Memorial Cemetery in Randolph Center, VT.

Condolences to his family maybe made at an online guest book at www.knightfuneralhome.com.

Memorial contributions may be made to ALS foundation of Northern New England or the ALS Walk Team Norbert. http://web.alsa.org/goto/teamnorbert