Support Norman Dlugatch's Memorial and Family

Honoring the Life & Legacy of Norman Dlugatch

With heavy hearts, we share the passing of Norman Dlugatch—a man who was not only the cornerstone of our family, but also a brilliant mind, a dedicated community volunteer, and a beloved character with a unique sense of humor. He passed away on the night of March 22 at Henry Mayo Newhall Memorial Hospital Valencia, California, surrounded by care, love, and gratitude.

Just two days before Norman was admitted to the hospital, our beloved family dog Margie passed away at home in my arms. It was a heartbreaking loss, and none of us could have imagined that it would mark the beginning of the end of another. When Norman was admitted, we believed he would get through it and eventually come home. Nearly a month before his passing, he was diagnosed with pneumonia and faced numerous setbacks and complications—spending most of his time in the ICU and on a ventilator. But he never gave up. He fought with everything he had. There were moments of hope when his condition improved, and we were even able to video chat with him just last week. Despite still being on oxygen, he looked good, cracked jokes, and was in high spirits. That was Norman—resilient, sharp, and full of life, even in the hardest moments.

In the end, his health became a cruel game of whack-a-mole—every issue that was addressed was quickly followed by another. But the ICU staff never gave up on him, providing exceptional care throughout his hospitalization. We are beyond grateful for their efforts and compassion. On March 22 at 10:03 PM, Norman went into cardiac arrest. Despite the medical team’s best efforts, he passed away peacefully.

Norman’s story is a remarkable one. He was a highly skilled sound engineer who worked at Capitol Records, Record Plant, and most recently, the scoring stage at Paramount Pictures. He helped shape the sounds behind some of music’s biggest legends, and he had the stories to prove it—from high-pressure recording sessions to, let’s just say, cleaning up the after-hours chaos left behind. He was also a devoted ham radio operator and a proud volunteer with the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department, assisting with disaster communications and supporting first responders. He believed deeply in giving back to his community.

Most importantly, Norman was the rock of our family. He was the one everyone turned to—the man in charge, the steady voice, the example we all looked up to. His wife, Christine, passed away in August 2017. Just two weeks later, one of his daughters, Amy, also passed away. Both deaths in the same month left our family in disbelief and deep sorrow, yet Norman carried that pain with strength and quiet grace.

Now, as we grieve this incredible loss, we’re asking for help to honor him the way he deserves—with dignity, love, and gratitude. Donations will go toward his cremation, the cost of a celebration of life where friends and family can gather in his memory (date TBD), and the medical bills left behind from his hospitalization. All of our family’s savings, along with Norman’s own, were exhausted to purchase the medical equipment and supplies needed for his 24/7 care at home. Any support you can provide—through a donation or simply sharing this page—will help us honor Norman’s life and ease the burden left behind.

Thank you for reading and for helping us keep Norman’s legacy alive.

—The Dlugatch Family