Résumé

Service, US Navy, Marine Corps, Korean War, 1950-1952. His obituary noted that Norton participated in the Battle of Chosin Reservoir, one of the most harrowing and remarkable operations in American military history. It stated: "While in college, Skip enlisted in the US Marine Reserves and was called to serve in the Korean War from 1950 to 1952. Serving in the 1st US Marine Division, he was a survivor of the Battle of the Chosin Reservoir (now in North Korea), where 15,000 Allies were surrounded by 120,000 enemy forces. The Allies fought their way, walking 78 miles over rough terrain and in -30 degrees weather, to rescue at the coast." (See Seattle Times.com, "Philip C. Norton (Skip), March 15,1929- September 12, 2022," published 10/30/2022, accessed 11/07/2022.) Norton served with the US Marines 11th Infantry Battalion, 7th Infantry Regiment, 1st Marine Division at Camp Pendleton, Oceanside, CA, on 08/18/1950. (See Ancestry.com, Source Citation The National Archives at Washington, DC. USA; National Archives Publication: Navy Muster Rolls, 1939-1949; Record Group Title: Records of the Bureau of Naval Personnel; Record Group Number: 24, accessed 11/07/2022.)

Architect, Bassetti and Morse, Architects, Seattle, WA, 1958-1962.

Architect / Partner, Fred Bassetti and Company, Architects, Seattle, WA, 1962-1979. Norton became a partner in Fred Bassetti and Company in 1969. In 1978, Fred Bassetti and Philip C. Norton were partners in the firm, while Richard Metler and Ken Rothschild were Associates. In about 1980, Metler and Rothschild became partners, and Christopher Kirk, Thomas Roth and Michael Hoffman became Associates.

Partner, Bassetti / Norton / Metler Architects, Seattle, WA, c. 1983-1985. Ken Rothschild left the firm c. 1983, and Karlis Reckevics joined at about that time.

Partner, Bassetti / Norton / Metler / Rekevics Architects, Seattle, WA, 1985-1991. Christopher Kirk left the firm in 1985. Norton retired c. 1994.

Professional Activities

Member, American Institute of Architects (AIA).

High School / College

Graduate, Stadium High School, Tacoma, WA, 1947. Before this, Norton attended Washington Elementary School and Meade Junior High School in Tacoma.

Coursework, University of Puget Sound (UPS), Tacoma, WA, 1947-1949. He joined Sigma Nu Fraternity at the University of Puget Sound.

B.Arch., University of Washington, Seattle (UW), Seattle, WA, 1957. Norton was a member of the Sigma Chi Fraternity at the University of Washington.

Relocation

In 1940, Philip C. Norton lived with his parents and maternal grandmother at 3218 North 28th Street in Tacoma, WA. This census listed his grandmother as having finished high school, while it noted that his mother completed one year of college, and his father four years. The Norton House had a modest value of $2,500 in 1940. (See Ancestry.com, Source Citation Year: 1940; Census Place: Tacoma, Pierce, Washington; Roll: m-t0627-04388; Page: 8B; Enumeration District: 42-4, accessed 11/07/2022.)

Between 1951 and 1954, Norton was a student, who listed his residence to be at 115 North Yakima Avenue, Apartment #14, in Tacoma. In 1951, he was fighting in Korea, but the city directory maintained his listing at the time. (See Tacoma, Washington, City Directory, 1951, p. 761 and Tacoma, Washington, City Directory, 1954, p. 487.) He resided in Tacoma, WA, in 1955, according to his marriage certificate. (See Ancestry.com, Source Citation Episcopal Diocese of Spokane; Spokane, Washington; The Episcopal Diocese of Spokane Church Records, 1870-1947; Volume Number: 7, accessed 11/07/2022.)

In later years, Norton purchased land in the Northilla Beach area on the southern tip of Maury Island (connected with Vashon Island) and built a weekend cabin there. His Seattle Times obituary said: "Over the years, Skip always found time to work on his long-term project, the handbuilt Northilla beach house. He continued to improve and embellish the beach house with usable lumber and interesting flotsam found beachcombing. The beach house remains a legacy for family and friends to enjoy." (See Seattle Times.com, "Philip C. Norton (Skip), March 15,1929- September 12, 2022," published 10/30/2022, accessed 11/07/2022.)

Parents

His mother was Dorothy Margaret Pole (born 08/06/1897 in Pierce County, WA-d. 02/20/1981 in Seattle, WA), his father, Philip Lewis Norton (born 09/07/1897-d. 06/11/1952 in Tacoma, WA). They married on 07/28/1923 in Pierce County, WA. (See Ancestry.com, Source Information: Washington, U.S., County Marriages, 1855-2008 [database on-line]. Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations, Inc., 2014, accessed 11/07/2022.)

Dorothy's parents were both English-born, Charles Francis Pole (born 11/20/1863 in England-d. 01/08/1907 in Chehalis, WA) and Eva Miles (born 1874 in England- d. 02/21/1958 in Tacoma, WA). Charles was a merchant in 1900, and he and Eva had four children, two boys and two girls. They resided in Dryad, WA, in 1900. (See Ancestry.com, Source Citation Year: 1900; Census Place: Dryad, Lewis, Washington; Roll: 1747; Page: 10; Enumeration District: 0134; FHL microfilm: 1241747, accessed 11/07/2022.)

In 09/1918, when he registered for World War I military service, Philip L. Norton worked as an insurance clerk at Hellar, Lyon and Company in Tacoma, WA. (See Ancestry.com, Source Citation Registration State: Washington; Registration County: Pierce Source Information Ancestry.com. U.S., World War I Draft Registration Cards, 1917-1918 [database on-line]. Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations Inc, 2005, accessed 11/07/2022.) Hellar, Lyon and Company sold warrants, bonds, mortgages, real estate and insurance, as well as safes. It had its office in the National Realty Company Building in 1918. (See R.L. Polk and Company's Tacoma, Washington, City Directory, 1918, p. 352.) He entered the US military on 10/08/1918 and was discharged on 12/18/1918. (See Ancestry.com, Source Citation Washington State Archives; Olympia, Washington; Military Records Source Information Ancestry.com. Washington, U.S., Military Records, 1855-1950 [database on-line]. Lehi, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations Inc, 2021, accessed 11/07/2022.)

Philip L. Norton was a dry cleaning salesman in 1940, as per the US Census.

According to the 1950 US Census, Philip and Dorothy Norton continued to live with her mother Eva Pole at 3218 North 28th Street in Tacoma. At that time, Philip L. Norton operated his own dry cleaning and pressing shop. (See Ancestry.com, Source Citation United States of America, Bureau of the Census; Washington, D.C.; Seventeenth Census of the United States, 1950; Record Group: Records of the Bureau of the Census, 1790-2007; Record Group Number: 29; Residence Date: 1950; Home in 1950: Tacoma, Pierce, Washington; Roll: 1137; Sheet Number: 7; Enumeration District: 42-19, accessed 11/07/2022.)

Spouse

He wed Esther Joan McCombs at Saint Luke's Episcopal Church, Wenatchee, WA, on 06/11/1955. (See Ancestry.com, Source Citation Episcopal Diocese of Spokane; Spokane, Washington; The Episcopal Diocese of Spokane Church Records, 1870-1947; Volume Number: 7, accessed 11/07/2022.)

Children

He and Esther had two children: Sara Norton and Andrew Norton.

Biographical Notes

Norton has gone by the nickname "Skip" to friends and colleagues.

Member, City of Seattle, Board of Adjustment, Seattle, WA, before 1979.

Member, City of Seattle, Pike Place Market Historical Commission, Seattle, WA.

Member, City of Seattle, Seattle Sports Advisory Council, Seattle, WA.

Member, Seattle Aquarium Society Board, Seattle, WA.

The architect had a number of athletics interests and hobbies. He was an avid runner and tennis player and enjoyed sailing since his youth. His obituary reported: "An accomplished sailor, he built his own sailboat in high school, and successfully raced Mercury Class keel boats in the 1970s on Lake Washington with the Corinthian Yacht Club." (See Seattle Times.com, "Philip C. Norton (Skip), March 15,1929- September 12, 2022," published 10/30/2022, accessed 11/07/2022.)