Bruce Mitchell Norquist
October 10, 1950 - July 19, 2025
Obituary
Some men live lives where death just feels like an interruption, the phone ringing during their favorite song. That was Bruce. When he passed — a small word for a big transition – the world got quieter, less bright for the rest of us.
He leaves behind a cast worthy of its own epic – his wife and true love, Kathleen (Kathy) Louise Norquist; his sons, Matthew Allen Norquist (and wife Samantha); Carl Joseph Norquist (and wife Jenna); his daughter Sarah Ann Chaplin (and husband Andrew); his grandchildren Benjamin Thomas Norquist, Mitchell Andrew Norquist, Jack Wesley Norquist, Arlo Stanley Chaplin, Noah Nelson Norquist, and Willa Dorothy Chaplin; his brother Todd William Norquist, sister Amy Elizabeth Norquist, and sister-in-law Karen Hayes — each carrying a spark of his spirit. If you can find a few minutes with any of them, you’ll likely hear some secrets that would get everyone in trouble.
Bruce has joined his father, Stanley Roy Norquist; mother, Ann Langan Norquist; and brother, Scott Wallace Norquist in a great new place.
Bruce grew up in Longview, WA. When he wasn’t there, he skied. More than a “ski bum” he’d say. He carved an adventure down mountains: headfirst, fearless, grinning the whole way. He raced on the UPS ski team, and skied with the Mahre twins, two of the best Olympic skiers the US has ever produced.
He was a creator. Painting, Writing, Sculpting, Bonsais. Norquist family homes are filled with his pottery, paintings, and unfinished work. He hosted lively nights that showcased local artists/musicians with profits funding mission work.
Bruce spent most of his years serving as a beloved pastor, creating safe places for anyone who needed prayer, a listening ear, or wanted to grow in their faith. He spent 8 years as Associate Pastor at People’s Church in Tacoma, WA, leading the young couples’ group, mission teams, altar ministries, hosting concerts, and directing and teaching at People’s Bible Institute. He spent 18 years joyfully founding and pastoring the Evergreen (Foursquare) Church with his wife Kathy in Burien, WA. This church family was rooted deeply in God’s grace with the motto, “God is real, and really for you.” Their mission was to grow together in God’s love, truth, and freedom, and to share it with their community. After retiring, due to a stroke, he remained active as a pastoral elder at Deeper Church.
Pastoring was his main ministry. However, he loved people all over the world. Preaching was in his blood. He preached, built church buildings, and engaged people with God’s love and truth in 22 countries. He helped build and found churches in the Philippines. While studying for his PhD in Scotland he was part of the leadership team that founded “Sunday Night Live Fellowship.” Bruce was a sought-out professor. While pastoring churches he continued to teach periodic classes and mentor students in the Philippines, Sri Lanka, Bulgaria, California (Life Bible College), Seattle (Fuller Theological Seminary, Northwest University, and Seattle Pacific University), Tacoma (People’s Bible Institute) and SeaTac (Academic Dean and Professor at Dominion College).
While pastoring the Evergreen (Foursquare) Church Bruce also co-founded and served as Vice President of Transform. He was known as “Pastor Bruce” to the hundreds of homeless and low-income friends who looked to the nonprofit organization each week for meals, food, clothing, showers, haircuts, Bible Study, and prayer. Beyond providing daily essentials, many found Transform to be a place where they were valued and loved by Bruce, Kathy and the 180 volunteers from Burien churches who shared the amazing grace and love of God that transformed their lives. You would find him there being a friend several times a week until he went to heaven.
With all the ministries he started and hearts he opened, he also talked with God in the quiet spaces where sometimes all that can be heard is a whisper. He offered strong opinions with kindness and warmth that made lasting impressions and changed lives. He didn’t just preach, he listened. If you had a different take, he would hear with curiosity, empathy, and forgiveness. Listening involves helping others hear a whisper themselves. Often a joke or story helps. Bruce did both exceptionally, with a way of helping you join in.
He influenced legions through sermons, writing, teaching, pastoring, officiating weddings and memorial services, and quietly when people needed grace and guidance.
Central to many of his stories is Kathy. They met in college and have been married almost 50 years. Their story, their deep and faithful love goes on. Their shared values and dedication to caring for others influenced anyone who crossed their paths and raised a beautiful family rooted in faith.
Bruce’s north star was to help people understand and experience the love of God that sets them free to grow in relationship with the God who created and loves them unconditionally and is delighted to live in intimate union and communion with them every minute of all eternity. He shared that message everywhere he went by his words and his life.
“Death opens a door out of a little, dark room — that’s all the life we’ve known — into a great, real place where the true sun shines. And we shall meet.” (CS Lewis).
Bruce isn’t gone. He’s just through the door.
A Celebration of Life will be held at Highline Christian Church, 14859 First Avenue S. Burien, WA 98168, Friday, August 15th at 6:00 PM. If you knew Bruce or if you simply need someone to make you feel known, please join us. Donations in his name may be made to Transform, www.transformoutreach.org
Bruce so valued every person regardless of status. Such a mighty man of God! We already miss him dearly and will continue to do so.
You where such a blessing to me Bruce..times of prayer, talking about art… I always enjoyed the times you spoke at our home church… You were a true friend.