Norma Loeser - Obituary

r. Norma Maine Loeser, 94, of Edgewater, MD and formerly of Alexandria, VA, passed away on Sunday, February 5, 2017 in Annapolis, MD. Born on August 1, 1922 in Plattsburgh, NY, she was the oldest child of the late James Wesley Laver and Flora Maine Coolidge. (Yes, a direct descendant of President Coolidge). Norma experienced full and exciting careers, first as a member of the U.S. Armed Forces during and after World War II, then as a distinguished faculty member at The George Washington University, where she was appointed Dean of the School of Government and Business, and finally while serving on numerous corporate Boards of Directors, including Thomas & Betts, Corp, and the Washington Gas Light Company. On 8 June 1944, two days after the start of the D-Day invasion at Normandy, Norma enlisted in the Women’s Army Corp. There is no doubt she was motivated by her husband David J. Loeser, a Captain in the U.S. Army who was participating in that invasion. David survived D-Day and was awarded a Purple Heart following his injuries in the Invasion, but he died four months later on October 6, 1944 during action in Belgium. Norma continued with her Active Duty service to our country, transferring to the newly formed Women’s Air Force, with assignments in the UK, France, Germany, and Washington D.C. She was promoted in the United States Air Force to the rank of Lieutenant Colonel, and after 22 years of service she retired in 1966 to pursue a second career in education. Dr. Loeser attended The George Washington University (“GW”), where she received a Bachelor of Business Administration in 1958, a Master of Business Administration in 1967, and a Doctor of Business Administration in1971. Joining GW as a member of the faculty, Norma taught courses in Business. While on the faculty, she also served as a Presidential Appointee from 1974 – 1976 as a Commissioner on the Defense Manpower Commission. She was also Managing Director, Civil Aeronautics Board from 1975 – 1977. In 1978, she was appointed Dean of the School of Government and Business Administration at GW, a position she held for 10 years until she returned to full time teaching in 1989. Dr. Loeser was the first woman appointed dean of a major business school. Norma enjoyed power boating with her close friend Jeanne Holm and frequent trips to the Crab Claw in Saint Michaels, skiing in Vail with friends, golf, and gardening. Dr. Loeser is survived by her sister, Doris Laver Lounsbury and brother, John Laver both of Plattsburgh NY; her nieces, Linda Hagar, Susan Miller, Jane Babbie and Tammy Forget all of Plattsburgh, NY, Dorothy Coia of Apache Junction, AZ and Kimberly Wells of Wellington, FL; her nephews, Jonathan Hagar of Rough and Ready, CA and Jeffery Hagar of Grass Valley, CA and many close friends who came to know and love Norma through her friendship with Jeanne Holm. She was preceded in death by her husband, David Loeser; her sister, Jeane Laver Shand and her brother, James Laver, Jr. Norma goes to her final resting place with her husband David and other family members in Plattsburgh NY. A grave-side service in Plattsburgh NY is planned for the spring. In lieu of flowers, her family asks that donations be made in Norma’s name to the Women’s Memorial Foundation in Arlington, VA at: www.womensmemorial.org. Condolence may be left by clicking on the link to the left f this page.