Norman Kallander

Jun 14, 1950 -

Jul 31, 2020

Anchorage resident and pioneer Alaskan Norman Allen Kallander, 70, passed away peacefully July 31, 2020, at home, after a courageous 3-year battle with cancer, ending a long life full of love and adventure.

Norman was born in Anchorage on June 14, 1950, to Fedoria Kallander Pennington of Norwegian and Athabascan lineage and Simon Samis of Greek lineage, at the "old" original Providence Hospital on 9th Avenue.

He graduated from East Anchorage High School and started a long and memorable working career. After high school he worked at the Hotel Captain Cook as a night auditor and moved on to the State of Alaska, Division of Unemployment.

In the early '80s, Norman, an avid Bingo player, worked for the Cook Inlet Housing Authority (CIHA), managing their non-profit bingo operation and would later became a member of their accounting department's team.

In 1985, recognized for his ability to work with and manage people and programs, Norman was tasked with developing the first Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) approved Home Loan Program for Native American and Alaska Native low income housing grants at CIHA.

Under his supervision, the program became so successful in Alaska he was invited to Washington, D.C., to do a presentation for both members of Congress and HUD on the programs structure and operation which then became a model for all Indian Housing Authorities nationwide.

Norman loved to travel and decided the best way to do that was to work for an airline. Hello MarkAir. Once again his ability to work with people and attention to detail was recognized early on by his superiors, and was soon a senior ticket agent and counter supervisor at MarkAir's location at Ted Steven's International Airport.

His passion for accounting never left him and after MarkAir, went to work for Chugach Alaska's Accounting Department as an Account Analyst and continued working until medically retiring in 2019.

Summer time was a favorite time in Norman's life beginning in elementary school, when "mama" Fedoria would show up, unannounced at the school office two weeks before the end of session, to begin gathering the brothers and sisters and herd them to the old Anchorage docks to get on board the cannery boat that would take them across the inlet to Point Possession for a summer of commercial fishing with the entire family.

Norman continued honoring that tradition by spending as much time as possible at Point Possession through the summer of 2018.

Traveling never lost its luster and was always an adventure.

Traveling to Las Vegas with family every couple of years became an exciting tradition because he was one of the luckiest people you could imagine when it came to playing bingo or slot machines. Seeing Phil Collins on his final "end of the road" tour was a special event and trips to Hawaii with Ken and Gramma More were favorite times.

Norman was a gifted individual who had a heart and smile as big as Alaska and left an indelible mark of humility on all those he touched with his kind, caring and loving nature. Anyone who met him is better off by having known this gentle, kind soul. Though gone from us physically, the hand print of his life will live on through those who have not yet gone but will look for that joyous reunion when we all meet on the other side.

Norman is survived by his life partner of 37 years, Ken More; brother, Sammy and Peggy Kallander; sisters, Betty and John Gilcrist; Mary and Mike Dougherty; Sharon and Dave Isaac; Karen Tallackson; numerous nieces and nephews; and family pet dog, Wilma.

Norman was preceded in death by his mother, Fedoria "mama" Kallander Pennington; and father, "Big" Sammy; brothers, Jimmy Kallander; Bobby Kallander; Roy Kallander; sister, Cora McIntyre; nephew, Wayne Corder; and numerous uncles and aunts.

A celebration of life will take place at a time yet to be determined due to the COVID-19 pandemic issues and will be announced at a later date.

In lieu of flowers, donations in Norman's name to Salvation Army of Alaska are appreciated.

Interment will be at Angelus Memorial Park.