W. Norman Harvey

W. Norman Harvey, 87, of Eldridge, Iowa, passed away on Friday, February 25, 2022 at the Kahl Home in Davenport, Iowa.

Funeral services will be held at 11:00 a.m., Saturday, March 5, 2022 at Faith Lutheran Church in Eldridge.  Visitation will be held on Friday evening from 4:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. at the church and one hour before the services on Saturday at the church.  Burial will follow at Davenport Memorial Park.  Memorials may be made to the church or to the Eldridge Volunteer Fire Department.

Norm was born June 22, 1934 in Burr Oak, Iowa, the son of Warren & Inez (Nolte) Harvey.  On June 4, 1955, he was united in marriage to Fae E. Kahler in Davenport.

On January 1, 1957, Norm was hired as a lineman for the Eldridge Telephone Company. In March of 1957, the Eldridge and Long Grove Telephone Companies merged to form Central Scott Telephone. Norm was promoted to Manager in January of 1963. More expansion construction followed and in 1968 he oversaw the change from party lines to one-party service.

In 1979, Norm negotiated the purchase of McCausland Telephone Company which became part of Central Scott Telephone.  In 1986, Norm helped form Iowa Network Services, a company made up of independent telephone companies in Iowa. In 1997, Norm was involved with helping Central Scott form a Subsidiary company called CST Communications, Inc., which provides long distance to Central Scott customers. In July of 2015, Norm assisted in acquiring the Dixon Phone Company.

Norm retired as CEO and Manager in April 2007 completing fifty years.  He continued to serve as Chairman of the Board, praised and credited for his forward-thinking skills in keeping Central Scott on top of industry changes and will be remembered for creating a positive work environment, with a high level of professionalism and promoting a positive work environment.

Norm has served the telecommunications community as the President of Iowa Network Services, Chairman of Iowa Telecommunication Association, President of Iowa Pioneers Association, Vice-President of Iowa Wireless (iWireless) and was on the Iowa One Call Board.

As a member of the National Telephone Cooperative Association, he served nine years on the Retirement & Security Board and was the first commercial company advisor for the eastern half of the United States.  Norm had also served on four telephone boards with the LICT: Belmont/Cuba City, Wisconsin, the ICTC, Haviland and JBN in Kansas City.

Norm has served the community of Eldridge as a member of the Eldridge City Council, he was a charter member of the North Scott Rotary, Past-President of the Lions Club, Past-President of the Church Council of Faith Lutheran Church, was an Eldridge Volunteer Fireman and on the Economic Development Board for the City of Eldridge.  He had also served with the Scott County Sheriff’s Reserve and was Past-President of the Mounted Patrol.

Following his retirement, Norm and Fae enjoyed wintering in Gulf Shores, Alabama.  They also enjoyed traveling to Europe several times, embarking on several cruises and visiting all fifty states. Norm and Fae loved spending time at their river house on the Mississippi River by LeClaire and enjoyed boating with family and friends.

Those left to honor Norm’s memory include his wife, Fae; his daughter and son-in-law, Diane & Jeff Martens of Eldridge; his son and daughter-in-law, Mark & Tara Harvey of Grimes, Iowa; his grandchildren, Grace (Cole) Eichelberger of Muscatine, Iowa, Brianna (Logan) Lorenzen of Dysart, Iowa, Chloe Martens of Eldridge and Brooklyn Harvey of LeClaire; his great-granddaughter soon to arrive in March; his sisters and brothers-in-law, Elaine & Ronnie Ryan of Harmony, Minnesota and Linda & Gene Huhe of Ridgeway, Iowa; his brothers and sisters-in-law, Duane & Donna Harvey of Maysville, Iowa, Marlin & Cheryl Harvey of Saratoga, California and David & Linda Harvey of Cresco, Iowa; and several nieces and nephews.

Norm was preceded in death by his parents; his daughter, Deborah; and his brother, Ronald.

Online condolences may be expressed to the family by visiting Norm’s obituary at www.McGinnis-Chambers.com.