Fred Norris is Winner of the 2013 William D. Barth Award

Fred Norris is Winner of the 2013 William D. Barth Award

TriCity Family Services presented the 29th annual William D. Barth Award on October 24, 2013 to Fred Norris of St. Charles.  The award was presented at their Annual Meeting and Barth Award Dinner at the Riverside Receptions and Conference Center in Geneva.

Truly a community leader with a significant, positive impact on the TriCity area, Fred T.L. Norris, has been both a visionary public official and a dedicated volunteer working for the good of dozens of local causes in the community over his lifetime. 

Mr. Norris is a life-long resident of St. Charles who joined his family as the third generation in the family’s funeral business.  Later, when his brother joined the business, he transitioned successfully into a financial and management career with Fortune 100 Companies, General Mothers, Brunswick Corporation and the Glidden Company, from which he retired in 1992, after 23 years.  He served as a St. Charles Alderman and Chair of the Finance, Public Health and Safety Committees.  Most notably in our community, Fred served as Mayor of St. Charles for 20 years, having been elected for 5 terms, and leaving the office in 1997.

Among his many  community involvements, he has served as President, or in other leadership roles, in the St. Charles Jaycees, the Illinois Jaycees, the Fox Valley Shrine Club, Cotillion Club of Fox Valley, the American Management Association, Baker United Methodist Church Men’s Club, St. Charles Family Counseling, the PTO of the Shelby School, St. Charles Park Foundation, St. Charles Kiwanis Golden K, the Ambassador’s Club for the St. Charles Chamber of Commerce, Downtown St. Charles Partnership, United Way of Central Kane County, Senior Services Associates, Association for Individual Development, the Dellora A. Norris Cultural Arts Center, American Cancer Society, Delnor Community Hospital Foundation, Glenwood School for Boys and Girls, Baker Community House and Recreation Center, the Citizens Advisory Board for Aurora University, Elgin Community College Foundation, and the Three Fires Council of the Boy Scouts of America.  He has over 65 years in active scouting, serving as a Scoutmaster, Committee Chairman and Fox Valley District positions, and the Executive Board of the Three Fires Council for 20 years. 

In addition, he served as the Republican Precinct Committeeman for 22 years, Commissioner for the Northeastern Illinois Planning Commission, and Director for the Regional Transportation Authority representing Kane County.  He was a member of the School Facilities Advisory and Referendum Committees in District 303 that resulted in the creation of both St. Charles high schools, a member of the St. Charles Library Referendum committee that resulted in 35,000 square foot addition, Co-Chair of the Kane County Open Space Referendum committees that altogether more than doubled the open space in Kane County with 9,000+ acres added, and Co-Chair of the Elgin Community College Referendum Committee that passed a $178 million bond for facilities. 

Fred Norris has been honored with the Distinguished Citizen Award and the Silver Beaver Award by the Three Fires Council of the Boy Scouts; Distinguished Service Award, Hall of Fame, and Outstanding Jaycee of the Year by the St. Charles Jaycees; Man of the Year by the St. Charles Historical Society; the Community Builders Award from the Unity Masonic Lodge 48 (of which he is a 50+ year member); Ambassador Award and the Charlemagne Award by the St. Charles Chamber of Commerce; Commander’s Award by the American Legion Post 342, Communication and Leadership Award by the Toastmasters District 54, Big Brother’s Citation by the Big Brothers of the Fox Valley; Commander’s Award by the VFW Post 5036, Distinguished Alumni Award from St. Charles High School; and induction into the Mayor’s Hall of Fame. 

Fred was nominated for this award by his son, Frederick T. L. Norris, Jr..  TriCity Family Services is honored to present Fred Norris with the 2013 William D. Barth Award and to induct him into the distinguished ranks of William D. Barth Award winners.