Norval Keith Madden, age 90, Wichita, KS, graduated to heaven on
Kansas Day, January 29, 2022, peacefully at his residence. This
indescribable one-of-a-kind child of God was born October 5, 1931, at
Wesley Hospital to the late Faye (Feely) and Terrence Herschel
Madden. From four pounds and a premature birth he reached the age
of nine decades. He was married to Melba Florence (House) Madden
on June 4, 1955 at Wesley Chapel and they celebrated 47 years. Melba
entered heaven June 16, 2002. Norval was blessed again with love and
married Joyce (Glimpse) Madden on August 6, 2005, she survives.
To the union with Melba, three children were born: Michael Madden,
Thomas Madden (wife Linda), and Angela Madden Scott (husband, Jack
Scott, Sr).
Born in the depression, to parents who were 46 and 51 years old, he
knew the profound grief of losing a parent at the age of 14 and the
family house as well. He possessed uncommon athletic abilities
especially in gymnastics and track and field. He graduated from Wichita
East High in 1949 and graduated with undergraduate degrees in
Physical Education and Education from Wichita State University in
1953. He later earned a Masters degree in Education from WSU, and
his doctorate degree at the University of Kansas in Education
Administration.
Dr. Madden, as hundreds of students knew him, was a passionate
teacher of history and a revered and remembered school
administrator. He could not go very many places without former
students or others recognizing him and saying 'Hi Dr. Madden." His
career before education also included ten years at Boeing in the
mechanical engineering department. He often remarked that he took a
40 percent pay cut to pursue his passion-teaching.

As a tennis coach and PE instructor Norval started his career in
education at Sacred Heart College, Wichita, (now Kansas Newman), and
retired as an Associate Principal of Wichita West High School in 1992.
After five years at the college level, Norval followed his dream, and
took an entry level teaching position at Mayberry Junior High School
where he taught history, before completing his education and going
into education administration.
In the early 1950's Norval rode a city bus with a friend, and he saw
Melba (a stranger at this point) and he told his friend 'Someday I'm
going to marry that girl.' Twice more this same thing happened and
Norval again made the same remark. At a SASNAK (Kansas spelled
backward)-a sponsored teenage dance, Norval got the courage up to
ask Melba on a date-to church the next day! They were engaged for
three years. During this period, Norval began more than a decade of
service in the US Army (discharged in 1961). Upon completing the
active-duty portion of his military commitments, Norval returned to
Wichita and promptly married Melba the girl of his dreams! Life was
good!
Norval was a bit of a ham his entire life and was in reality a repressed
performer. He loved the white light. As a young man and as an avid
and accomplished gymnast he was part of a local performing group
known as "Rudy and Randy". But the call for attention never wore off-
even at the age of 81 and on into his mid-80's he liked doing
headstands and handstands, much to the delight of his grandchildren,
their friends, and anyone else who happened to be around.
In 1975 Norval was appointed by the Mayor as a member of the
Wichita Commission on Civil Rights for a 4 year term.

A lifelong believer in Jesus Christ and his saving and redeeming grace,
Norval gave a faith foundation to his three children in the endearing
Faith Family of Trinity Presbyterian Church Wichita, Kansas. Active as a
Ruling Elder, Sunday School Teacher, Lector, car driver, Bible Study
host, and in numerous other ways, his church was his family and his
family was church. Norval served for a six-year term on the Presbytery
of Southern Kansas' committee on ministry. He participated in two
mission trips during his later years to Mexico where they were task with
building houses and upgrading water supplies. On one trip he slept the
entire trip in a hammock. On another mission trip, Norval stayed with a
family in Jordan outside of Israel for seventeen days, where the intra-
denominational group served as goodwill ambassadors attempting to
foster better communication and relations with warring factions in the
middle east contest.
He loved traveling with both Melba and Joyce they made precious
memories. When his children were growing up he created meaningful
traditions including the love of Allenspark, Colorado where he went
with his own parents as a child.
He loved hosting and was a consummate entertainer. He cherished his
ragtime music and taught himself to play from memory 10 Scott Joplin
songs. He studied Arabic, poetry, and biographies. Reading Vanity Fair
was a fun pastime. He was a tireless caregiver to Melba in her six years
of ALS disease.
Survivors include, his loving wife, Joyce of Wichita, KS; two sons,
Michael Madden of Wichita; Tom Madden (Linda) of Royal Oak, MI;
daughter Angela of Jefferson City, MO (Jack Scott); step-son Jeff
Glimpse (Jan) of Newton, KS; step-daughter Jennifer Saltzman (Michael)
of Hollywood Hills, CA; 4 grandchildren Tessa Madden Storms (Johnny),

Evan Madden, Paige Madden, and Major Scott and 8 step-
grandchildren.
Norval was preceded in heaven by his loving wife Melba, brother Norris
Madden, and brother Robert Madden.
Norval had a close-knit group of high school buddies consisting of 9
lifelong friends. Each of their family and friends know who they are. But
Norval has the dubious honor of being the last remaining survivor-"the
last man standing". Godspeed to our good friends!
Inurnment at Old Mission Mausoleum has been officiated by the Rev.
Angela D. Madden.  In lieu of flowers, memorial
contributions are suggested to Trinity Presbyterian Church, Wichita or
another PCUSA church.

October 15, 2022

1:00 p.m.

Trinity Presbyterian Church, 2258 Marigold Lane, Wichita.

Dessert Reception following.