Norbert Francis Liebig was born on December 27, 1946, in Redfield, South Dakota to Zita (Robinson) and Gaar Liebig. Norb was the third of five children. He grew up in Frankfort, SD, loving to hunt and fish. During high school, Norb participated in football, basketball, and track. He lettered all four years of high school in all sports. He was named Homecoming King his senior year. Norb graduated from Redfield High School in 1965. During the summer years Norb played baseball. He pitched, played third base, and caught.
In the fall of 1965, he started college at Northern State Teachers College in Aberdeen, SD. After one year, Norb got his draft notice. His grades were good enough not be drafted, but opted to join the Army. He joined October 27, 1966. He took basic training in Fort Bliss, Texas and then on to Fort Eustis, Virginia to AIT school on helicopters. After AIT school, he relocated to Fort Benning, Georgia in 1967. In 1967, the Army was putting together a new chinook helicopter company with a bunch of mechanics that were “attached” to the new helicopter company. Norb was a mechanic in that attachment (16th TC Detachment). In April of 1968, he departed for Vietnam from San Francisco, California.
For 23 days Norb sailed the USS General John Pope from California to Vietnam. After six months in Vietnam, he became a crew chief on a chinook helicopter, called the “Filthy Few.” A couple months later he became a flight engineer assigned to his own helicopter called “Patches.” As a result of the flight time, Norb was awarded the Air Medal with two Oak Leaf Clusters. He departed Vietnam from Camron Bay on May 29, 1969.
Norb’s lifelong dream was to be a State Trooper. In the summer of 1972, the Nebraska State Patrol was taking applications. He applied and was invited to camp in September of 1972. He graduated in November and his first duty assignment was in O’Neill, Nebraska. He spent 8.5 years in O’Neill. He was promoted to Corporal and relocated to Ainsworth, Nebraska. In 1983, he was promoted to Sergeant. In 1986 he was promoted to Lieutenant and was relocated to North Platte, Nebraska where he spent the rest of his career.
While working for the Nebraska State Patrol, seven years were spent in the Investigation division working undercover. Known as Jacob Vincent Francis, he purchased illegal drugs, worked seven murder-for-hire cases (two for the FBI), and spent 6 weeks in three different jails in Nebraska working murder suspects. In 1998 he went back to the traffic division. He retired from the Nebraska State Patrol in December of 2006, after 34 years.
The happiest moment of Norb’s life was finding out he was going to be a father. He became a dad on June 7, 1984, when his one and only daughter, Audra Louise, was born in Lincoln, Nebraska. Weighing in at 5 pounds 6 ounces, she had him wrapped around his finger from the first meeting. Norb was present at Audra’s volleyball and basketball games and dance team performances. He was known as the “Dance Dad” at Chadron State College. He was the most remarkable, caring, understanding, and patient father a girl could ever hope or pray for.
Norb loved his three grandsons more than life itself. He attended baseball, basketball, and football games. He enjoyed helping them with batting, throwing, catching, and shooting. He was a prominent figure in their everyday lives. Norb was a phenomenal marksman and loved hunting with his family and dogs. He enjoyed going to the lake on his pontoon and fishing with his grandsons.
Norb will always be remembered for his kind heart, humor, and love of life. His infectious laugh and humility will be missed by all. Norb always tried to make this world a better place. He always lent a helping hand, a shoulder to cry on, and gave the best hugs. As a man with great integrity, he always did the right thing, was honest, and was true to his word. He genuinely was “one in a million.” Norb has left footprints on hundreds of peoples’ hearts. He will continue to live on through stories, memories, and good deeds.
Norb will be forever missed by his daughter, Audra; son-in-law, Gordy; and his three grandsons, Gage, Kasen, and Gaven; along with his sisters, Jane (Mel) Crist, Julie (Keith) Richmond, Joan Persing; and one brother, Louis (Myrt) Liebig. His many nieces and nephews along with their children will never forget him.
He was greeted in Heaven on May 22, 2023, by his mom, Zita, father, Gaar, along with his brother-in-law, Ron, a niece, Kristi Ann, a great-nephew, Austin, and a great-niece, Taylor.
Visitation services will be Thursday, May 25, 2023, 5:00 – 7:00 p.m. with a rosary to begin at 7:00 p.m. at Our Lady of the Black Hills, Piedmont, SD.
Mass of Christian services will be Friday, May 26, 2023, at 1:00 p.m., at Our Lady of the Black Hills.
Interment with military honors to follow at Black Hills National Cemetery at 3:00 p.m.
A memorial has been established for college education of his grandsons.
Condolences may be sent to the family at www.kinkadefunerals.com.
