Norman E. Keats, 89, Stevens Point, a former professor at the University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point (UWSP), died Monday, July 9, 2012, at the Portage County Health Center in Stevens Point.
A private family visitation will be held at the Shuda Funeral Home in Stevens Point.
Memorials in his name should be given to Operation Bootstrap.
Condolences may be offered online at www.shudafuneral.com.
Mr. Keats was born Oct. 28, 1922, in Milwaukee, a son of the late George and Martha (Geiser) Keats.
He served as a sergeant in the U.S. Army Air Corps during World War II. His battles and campaigns included the Tunisian, Sicilian, Naples-Foggia, Rome-Arno and Air Combat in the Balkans. He was awarded three Theatre Service Medals, a Good Conduct Decoration, and the Distinguished Unit Badge for his service.
After the war, Mr. Keats earned a bachelor’s degree from UW-Milwaukee in 1949, a master’s degree from UW-Madison in 1950, and a master’s degree in fine arts from UW-Madison in 1966. He served as an art supervisor for the Newbery Public Schools in Michigan from 1951 to 1952 and an art supervisor for the Sheboygan Public Schools from 1952 to 1956. He came to Stevens Point in 1956 to join the Art Department at the former Central State Teachers College (now UWSP) where he helped develop an art major. He also designed and constructed “Blue Star Compass,” which was the first large-scale outdoor sculpture in the city in 1983.
He was married to Violet Grace (Mueller) in 1948. She preceded him in death.
Survivors include two sons, Brian (Linda) and Paul (Margret); one brother, Warren (Lois); and five grandchildren.
