Memorials › Norman Louis Cervenka

Norman Louis Cervenka

2 Apr 1935 – 20 Mar 2009

Birth2 Apr 1935
Death20 Mar 2009
CemeteryArlington National Cemetery
Arlington , Arlington County , Virginia , USA
Added byJames Windsor on 06 Dec 2021
FaGhttps://www.findagrave.com/memorial/49165443

Gravesite details

CDR US NAVY

Bio

CERVENKA, NORMAN L. Retired Navy Commander Norman L. Cervenka, 73, passed away peacefully on March 20, 2009 in Winter Park, FL. Mr. Cervenka was born on April 2, 1935 to Albert A. and Otilie Cervenka in Granger, TX. He graduated from the University of Texas in 1958 with a degree in Civil Engineering (BSCE). After his graduation he began his career in the U.S. Navy Civil Engineer Corps. He married Judith Windsor in 1965 and they had two daughters, Cathryn and Holly. Norman spent twenty years in the Navy, during which time he had two tours of duty as a Seabee in Vietnam, received his Master¹s degree (MSCE) at Georgia Tech, and was sent to Orlando to begin the construction of the new Naval Recruit Training Center and Navy Hospital. He spent the remaining years of his Navy life either building bases as a Resident Officer in Charge of Construction or maintaining them as a Public Works Officer. After retiring from the Navy, Norman specialized in theme park construction on many large projects in the Orlando area. At Sea World of Florida, he was Vice-President of F&C, their in-house construction company, overseeing the building of the Whale Stadium, Florida Festival, and the Shark Encounter among others. At Disney World he constructed the Indiana Jones attraction, and at Universal Studios he was the first project manager hired to oversee the groundwork for the brand new park. He later built a new campus for Seminole Community College. Norman¹s civilian retirement in 2002 allowed him the time for more travel, a favorite activity. He and Judi made a number of trips to Europe, the most frequent destination being the Czech Republic, where they made many friends and built a vacation house near Cesky Krumlov. He especially enjoyed eating his favorite Czech foods and conversing in Czech with native speakers. His other treasured travel memories were trips to Russia and China with his family. For years he was a familiar sight in his Winter Park neighborhood walking his dog Bean around the golf course every day. But his very favorite pastime was being a grandfather ("Opa") to his only grandchild, Cain, who brought much joy and laughter into his life. Cervenka was preceded in death by his parents and his sister, Mary Lou Carpenter. He is survived by his wife, Judi; daughters Cathy and Holly Cervenka; grandson, Cain Cervenka; brother, Albert Cervenka and sister-in-law, Claudine Cervenka; brother-in-law, Claude Carpenter; nieces, Susan Alexander and Cara Finn; and nephews, Mark and Dennis Cervenka. A Memorial Mass will be held in Granger, TX at the SS. Cyril & Method-ius Catholic Church on April 5, 2009, and inurnment with full military honors will take place at Arlington National Cemetery on June 8, 2009. In lieu of flowers the family requests gifts be made to Operation Homefront, 8930 Fourwinds Drive, Ste. 340, San Antonio TX 78239, www.operation homefront.net. Norman Cervenka will be remembered as a devoted husband, father, grandfather, brother, uncle, veteran and friend. He was honest, loyal, kind, loving, and a truly gentle soul who left his mark on this world through the buildings he constructed and the lives he touched.

Photos

Family

Parents

Siblings

Export GEDCOM

This person only · Entire connected family