Norm Uhlir, 1927–2025

[Art Director]

It is with great sadness that the CLC's last living co-founder, Norman F. Uhlir, passed away Tuesday, March 11. Norm would have turned 98 on March 31. A full obituary is scheduled for the May issue of The Self-Starter.

Norm and I talked regularly on the phone after we met in 2004. He and my late wife, Liz, had a real connection, as both had multiple sclerosis diagnoses. Our last conversation was in January before the Winter Reunion & Board Meetings and lasted over an hour. It wasn't like Norm to talk that long, so I should have seen that as a sign.

Thank you, Norm, and the other two co-founders for creating an organization that has made a big difference in many lives. Godspeed, Norm, and tell Liz I love and miss her.

[Zack Ray]

So sad to hear this. Prayers for all.

[Barry M Wheeler #2189]

I first met the Uhlirs in 1965. Gay and I set out early one morning for Detroit in our 1949 Series 61 coupe. At that time, the CLC had a meet conjoined with the CCCA's Carnival of Cars. It was a great meet with the CLC dinner meeting that evening. At that time I didn't have too much contact with Norm as I had composed my first S/S offering with a poem extolling the '41 Cadillac. I also sent her quite a few old Fortune magazine ads featuring Cadillac or LaSalle for use as front covers for the mimeographed S/S.

The last time I met Norm in person was at the 1999 Santa Clara GN. I was pushing his wheelchair and we were joining the other Past Presidents to judge the un-restored cars. I pointed out the row where we could start, and about fifteen feet from the first car, he snorted and said, "Well, we don't need to bother with that one. It's been re-painted!"

Being married to the Editor, he had authored many articles for the S/S, the most "famous" one being the one about the 1930-1931 V-16 Madam X cars. Agnes got a call from Motor Trend asking if they could use the story in the magazine.

When Norm retired, they sold his V-16 and the 1941 60S and moved to Sedona, AZ. He promptly found a 1958 CDV, possibly before we had made that year "legal" as a Club recognized model.

Over the last several years, Past President Dave Ritchie has kept an eye on Norm as he was living alone. Last week, Dave called me to ask if I'd heard from Norm lately as he was unable to reach him by phone. I hadn't, but Dave said, "Not to worry, as he'd look into it. Evidently, Norm was having some final problems in getting around.

He didn't complain about what life had given him, but would laugh about "how long it took to answer the phone." He always let his recorded message play and always made sure it was someone that he wished to speak with before picking up.

He kept up with Club activities far beyond the time his illness might have suggested that it was time to step back some. When Dave asked if he was going to "attend" the last Museum Board meeting by phone, he replied that, "Not if I have to get up at six AM!"

He and Agnes are represented on our Wall of Fame. I wrote the few lines that tell of their contribution the the CLC, and had trouble to convey what all that they had done in such a few words. Actually, it would have taken the whole wall to let the viewer know what they had accomplished.

Norm will be sorely missed, as he had quite a vision way back in 1958. That the "Standard of the World" deserved to have a vibrant car club to represent what the Cadillac automobile has meant to the driving public around the world. I'd say that his vision has come true beyond his wildest imagination. Enjoy your rest, Norm, and thank you.

[Carfreak]

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[J. Skelly]

That's a great tribute, Barry!

[Lexi]

Yes indeed. Sorry to learn of his passing. My condolences to his friends and family. Clay/Lexi

[Carfreak]

Very sorry to hear this news. In addition to knowing Norm through the club, I was privileged to work with him in editing his written work on the Founding and Early History of the CLC. With the Club's encouragement, Norm memorialized this history in a publication to give present and future members an insight into why and how the Cadillac & LaSalle Club got started. It includes details that only Norm would have known, as the only then-living founder who remained active in the Club. (Co-founder Ansel Sackett had passed away a couple years before the history was written.)
Thank you, Norm, for your many contributions to our Club over sixty-plus years. May you rest in peace after a life well lived.

https://cadillaclasalleclub.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/History_of_the_CLC.pdf