Norman Richard Draper

Norman R. Draper, 91, passed away peacefully on June 19 in Madison, Wisconsin, with his family by his side. Norman was born on March 20, 1931 in Southampton, England, and came of age as his city was bombed during World War ll. His parents ran a small tobacco and candy shop, and the family lived above the store. A proud graduate of Taunton's School in Southampton and Pembroke College, Cambridge, Norman came to the United States in 1955 to get his PhD in statistics at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. For 40 years, he was a professor of statistics at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, serving as chairman of the department twice (1968-72, 1994-97) and retiring as professor emeritus in 1999. Norman is the co-author of five books and hundreds of articles, especially about the statistical design of experiments. His career as an academic, author, and consultant took him all over the world. He was generous and gracious with his time and expertise and helped advance the careers of many students and friends.

Norman had wide and varied interests. He loved chess, opera, classical music, old British music hall songs, art, photography, stamps, tennis, golf, swimming, whistling, telling stories about his parents and the war, the pet cats and dogs of his grandchildren, laughing, and dessert, especially ice cream. His wit was sharp, dry, renowned and with him until the end. Despite his illustrious professional accomplishments, he always modestly introduced himself by his first name, and enjoyed making charming and genuine conversation with anyone from any walk of life.

Norman is survived by his devoted companion of more than 35 years, Jeannine "Nan" Sievert of Madison; loving daughter Mary (Juan) de Luna of Orinda, California; cherished grandchildren Elizabeth de Luna of Brooklyn, New York, Brian de Luna of San Francisco, California, and Catherine de Luna of Los Angeles, California; sister Esther Butz of Altmannshofen, Germany; and by former colleagues and long-time friends around the country and the world who will dearly miss him. He is preceded in death by his beloved parents, Helene and Norrie. We are forever grateful to the stellar staff of All Saints Memory Care, who lovingly cared for Norman with compassion, dignity and humor for more than three years, and to the kind and dedicated CNAs, nurses and social workers of Agrace Hospice. Memorial contributions may be made to Madison Opera (madisonopera.org). We will miss Norman for the rest of our lives, and will hold a memorial service in the autumn with details to follow.


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