Richard M. Norton

Richard Marshall "Buzz" Norton passed away peacefully on January 17, 2026. He was 85.

Born May 24, 1940 in Evanston, IL to Richard Francis Norton and Evelyn Smith Norton.

Buzz attended elementary school in Glencoe, IL and later moved to Winnetka, IL and graduated from North Shore Country Day School (’58). He was a graduate of the University of Pennsylvania, Wharton School (BS Economics ’62) and University of Pennsylvania (MFA in Art History ’63). He married Mary Elizabeth Loomis Norton (deceased) in 1967, and they were happily married for 52 years, residing in Lake Forest, IL.

He was a Boy Scout in Glencoe. IL and achieved the highest award of Eagle Scout.

He attended Red Arrow Camp in Woodrow, WI and canoe trip Camp Kooch-I-Ching in International Falls, MN.

Buzz was a member of the University of Pennsylvania’s Naval Reserve Officer Training Corps (NROTC) and later served the Illinois Air National Guard at Glenview Naval Air Station in Glenview, IL.

After graduation from UPenn he served his family firm, Richard Norton Inc. as President specializing in English and Continental 18-19th Century antique furnishings and decorative arts. He managed a showroom in the Merchandise Mart in Chicago and he was the proprietor of The Country House in Lake Forest, IL.

Buzz supported the Chicago International Antiques Show and the Lake Forest Antiques Show at Lake Forest Academy. He contributed significantly to the development of the Chicago antiques, art, and auction markets. He was also a presenter and guest appraiser on PBS Antiques Roadshow and Chicago’s own Appraisal Fair on HGTV.

He served on the Board of Directors of First American Bank, the Grant Healthcare Foundation, the Chicago International Antiques Show, Lake Forest Country Day School, and the American Association of Private Railroad Car Owners.

He also served on the President’s Council of the University of Pennsylvania and on the boards of the Winter Club and Onwentsia Club in Lake Forest and the Racquet Club of Chicago.

In 1992, he received an Alumni Award of Merit from the General Alumni Society of the University of Pennsylvania.

An avid lifelong train and railroad enthusiast, he oversaw the operations of Car 553 (America’s last commuter club rail car) on the Chicago & Northwestern, and later Metra commuter trains to Chicago.

He enjoyed fly fishing, skiing, reading, antique automobiles, and canoe trips with family and friends.

Buzz is survived by his three children, Richard Paine Norton (Christine) of Kenilworth, IL,  Alexander Taylor Norton of New York, NY and Mary Elizabeth (Elsbeth) Norton Redfield of Lake Forest, IL, eight grandchildren, and a sister, Judith Norton Boggess of Lake Forest, IL. A celebration of his life will be held later this spring.

Memorials to The Penn Fund, Camp Kooch-I-Ching, the Art Institute of Chicago, and Lake Forest Open Lands Association.

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