Norman Charles McPhee

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Norman ‘Norm’ Charles McPhee, 88, beloved father, grandfather, brother, uncle, friend, and mentor, passed away peacefully on November 3, 2024 at the Mervyn Sharp Bennion Veterans Home in Payson, Utah, of causes related to congestive heart failure and advanced age. He was born on July 3, 1936 in Logan, Utah to Charles Benjamin McPhee, Jr. and Gladys Jessop McPhee. He resided there during his youth. Norm was quite fond of regaling others with stories from his childhood adventures with his boyhood friends and family in Logan. 

In 1954, Norm graduated from Logan High School and then entered Utah State University (USU), where he majored in Theatre Arts. In 1959, he married Carol Christensen and joined the United States Navy. During his service, he and Carol welcomed two daughters, Jennifer (Jenny) and Cari. 

In 1963, he completed his military service and returned to USU, where he earned his Bachelor of Fine Arts and then began his Master of Fine Arts (MFA). He participated in many theatre productions during his time at USU and was influenced by working with his mentor and friend, legendary theatre faculty member Vosco Call. 

After completing his graduate work at USU, Norm worked for several years as the Managing/ Artistic Director of The Golden Bough Circle Theatre in Carmel, CA. In 1968, Norm returned to USU, where he became the on-air Director/Program Director/Instructor at KUSU-TV. While there, he wrote, directed, narrated and produced a 60-minute documentary "DONE" about the building of the first transcontinental railway, which aired nationally in 1969.

Norm was then recruited to become the Managing/Artistic Director of the Racine Theatre Guild (RTG) in Racine, Wisconsin, a position he held from 1969-2001, though he also continued there part-time until 2015. He directed over 200 productions at the RTG. Under his leadership, the RTG received national and international recognition for some of these productions. He also oversaw the construction of a theatre built expressly for the RTG. Furthermore, he initiated an educational outreach program for elementary and middle school students to view daytime live theatrical performances and participate in theatre workshops. Norm additionally developed international tours and performances to eight foreign countries, including the first United States amateur theatre exchange of productions with the USSR. Included in the exchange was a separate Director residency with the Republic of Georgia.

During his time in Racine, Norm also welcomed a third daughter, Sara, with Carol in the 1970’s, and a fourth daughter, Rachel, with his second wife Marsha Nelson, in the 1980’s. 

Norm was also a founding member of the American Association of Community Theatre (AACT), where he served in many capacities. He received numerous awards and recognition, including the State of Wisconsin's Governor's Award in Support of the Arts, the Cultural Achievement Award by the Theatre Society of the Republic of Georgia, The Life Service Award from the Wisconsin Theatre Association, and the AACT’s 2020 David C. Bryant Outstanding Service Award. He additionally served in many other community organizations, including on the Racine Arts Council and the Racine Wednesday Optimist Club. 

In the midst of his career at the RTG, he developed many life-long friendships and nurtured the talents of numerous budding performers. Norm was known for his strong leadership skills, his attention to detail, and absolute commitment to his craft. Although Norm gradually slowed his theater directing in his later years, he continued to remain active and engaged in his profession during his retirement, doing professional voice-over work and acting as a standardized patient for The Medical College of Wisconsin.

In his final few years, Norm’s health declined, and he returned to Utah to receive assisted care with family members nearby. Though it was very difficult for him to leave his home of 50 years in Racine, he enjoyed spending time with family and friends in Utah. Even during this period, he retained his spirit and continued to make valuable connections. 

While Norm had a remarkable professional career and his life as a theatre director was truly his calling, he also loved his family and friends, and identified as a lifelong member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Norm additionally enjoyed Civil War history, Western National Parks, telling stories, good food, and traveling to many countries. 

Norm is survived by his daughters, Jennifer (Jenny) McPhee of Los Angeles, CA, Sara McPhee Lafkas (John), granddaughters Caroline (15) and Ellie (9) of Belmont, MA; and Rachel McPhee-Benson (Rob) and grandson Reggie (5), of New York, NY. He is further survived by his brother, Jerold (Jerry) McPhee (Terrell) of South Salt Lake City, UT, his nieces Krista McPhee Smith (Tom), Ashleigh Allen Thompson (Jim), and nephew, Bryn (Bridget) Allen. He was grateful for the care given by his extended family and friends in his final days, particularly from Reyna Evelyn and Cristina Pitts. 

Norm was preceded in death by his parents, Charles and Gladys, his daughter Cari McPhee Evelyn, and his sister, Kathleen (Kathy/Kate) McPhee Allen. 

Norm will never be forgotten. He taught, led, entertained, and inspired his family members, friends, and fellow performers. ‘Keep on Truckin’, Norm. We will always love and miss you. 

The family encourages donations in Norm’s honor to go to the Racine Theatre Guild, the American Association of Community Theatre, The American Heart Association, or to the family fund for his final expenses: https://www.gofundme.com/f/honoring-norm-mcphee.

The graveside service will be livestreamed and can be viewed via the link below (passcode: Norman)

https://us02web.zoom.us/j/85359969865?pwd=TMuZ7ashfuwArGLCbUJpFekWkEHw7a.1

Memories and condolences may be shared at www.allenmortuaries.com.