In Memory

Norton Thornton

Norton Thornton

  1933 - 2021

Swim coach Nort Thornton passed away on Thursday morning, April 21.  So wide-spread was his success with the swim teams and athletes he coached and the impact he has had on the lives of those athletes and the sport itself, that within 24 hours, notice of his passing had been posted and spread on social media, online editions of sporting magazines, and online and print editions of newspapers across the nation and beyond - even in the Taiwan News.   To read about his career at Los Altos High School, Foothill College, UC Berkeley, and on the international scene, click here to read the article written by Swimming World magazine.  To read more about his accomplishments and honors, and the accolades he has received, click here to read the article written by the International Swimming Hall of Fame when he was inducted into ISHOF in 1995.

 Last month when his father was hospitalized for a heart condition, Marc Thornton created a public group on Facebook to keep Nort's "extended family" of swimmers updated about his condition.  It's called "Note for Nort" and is open to everyone.  This is where Marc announced Coach Thornton's death.  If there will be a memorial service, he will most likely post it on this group's page.


Logged-in website members are invited to post comments, memories, and tributes below.  Non-members may send messages to LAHS62@gmail.com, along with their names and class year at Los Altos High School - or other connection to Coach Thornton - to be posted by a website administrator.

 



 
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04/25/21 10:19 AM #1    

Suzanne Riedinger

What a renown coach and great person. We were so lucky to have him at LAHS. He went on to do even greater things in the swimming world. He will be missed.


04/25/21 12:43 PM #2    

George Bray

I'm deeply saddened with the loss of Nort.  I knew him before he became internationally famous coaching so many Olympians.  He was a humble individual who cared deeply for his swimmers and water polo players.  He will be sorely missed by all who came in contact with him.  God bless you, Nort, and rest in peace.


04/25/21 01:42 PM #3    

Susan Mack (Sugden)

     Mr. Thornton was my swimming and diving coach, along with Jim Going (Pat's brother) in the 1950s.  I was on the Los Altos Country Club swim team during the Summer months, competing against the other local golf, tennis and swimming clubs/courses.  He was a kind and gentle man, and very patient with his kids. Nort brought all levels of abilities and personalities together as one with a goal of winning.  He always made us proud of our efforts!  And, we were proud to call him our coach for a few years and to see him move up in the world of higher competitions.  I was fortunate to call him "my coach" for a few Summers.   

Smiling with memories of a wonderful gentleman,  Sue  


04/25/21 08:23 PM #4    

Pamela Gardner (Green)

Nort let me teach swim and scuba classes at Foothill while I was in the nursing program. I could teach on deck, not getting my hair wet while going from school to the hospital for clinicals in the short time we were given. He was a great mentor and trainer for me at Stanford. What a great guy!


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