Norman John Harsch, 66, died on November 10, 2020.  Born June 29, 1954 in Wurzburg, Germany to John H. Sagraves and Virginia "Bobbie" Peek Sagraves, he was later adopted by his stepfather, James I. Harsch, after his parents' divorce & his mother's remarriage.  Growing up in a military family, Norman lived in many places but was a 1972 graduate of Pembroke High School and a longtime Hampton resident, primarily in Fox Hill, Buckroe, and Phoebus.

He is survived by sisters, Teresa Hood (Tom) of Richmond, Vivian Carpenter (Mark) of Williamsburg, and Laura Harsch (Erin Korff) of Oakland, CA; nephew, Stewart Hood (Kimberly Vissepo) of Pensacola, FL; niece, Laura Hood (Matt Evangelist) of Richmond; stepbrothers, William (Cindy), James, Jr. and David Harsch;  and stepsisters,  Carol Lopez (Joey), Rebecca Schnitzler (John), and Nancy Harsch.    He is also survived by aunts, Sandra Peek Forbes and Joan Rotunda Peek; as well as cousins, Cathy Peek, Adrian Moris (Susan), and Neal Forbes (Margie).

Norman was an animal lover and avid reader, who inspired the same in others, a writer of poetry, and he loved music, especially The Moody Blues.  His favorite artists were Vincent van Gogh and Edvard Munch.  He enjoyed playing drums, had a sarcastic wit, but loved his family, was loyal to his friends, and was kind to strangers.  He could be gruff at times but had a soft heart and though organized religion didn't interest him he was very spiritual.

A memorial service, led by The Reverend Virginia G. DiStanislao, will be held at 2:00 p.m. Saturday, November 21 at the Fort Monroe Bandstand adjacent to The Chamberlin, 2 Fenwick Road,  in accordance with social distancing guidelines.  In lieu of flowers donations may be made to the American Cancer Society or the SPCA.  The family thanks the staff of Riverside Hospice for their care and concern for Norman during his illness.

Funeral arrangements provided by R. Hayden Smith Funeral Home, Hampton, VA, 757-723-3191.