Posted on 08/05/2005 4:20:52 PM PDT by Rodney King
y The Associated Press (8/03/05 - PEKIN, IL) — Even in death, Robert Norton's nakedness is a no-no. Norton, 82, spent four decades in and out of court fighting
Norton, 82, spent four decades in and out of court fighting repeated arrests for gardening and wandering his yard in the nude. He said he wanted to be buried without any clothes, but his family is sending him to eternity wearing gray slacks and a matching shirt.
"He's not going to be buried in the nude," said his brother, Jack Norton, a minister.
Robert Norton's family said they hope to lay the years of controversy to rest Thursday when the World War II veteran is buried. Norton, who died Monday, had fought 20 indecency arrests since 1962, arguing that he had a constitutional right to public nakedness.
Relatives say Norton suffered emotional problems after serving in the Army Air Forces during World War II. Prosecutors counter that he was just stubborn.
Brenda Loete, who lived next door to Norton for a dozen years before he moved into a nursing home, said she never spoke to her neighbor.
"We didn't really know him. We just had him arrested," Loete said. "Normally, if we had him arrested in the spring he'd be gone for the summer and we wouldn't have to worry about him until the next spring."
As long as its not an open casket.
This wasn't the same guy with the sword, was it?
be careful when rigor sets in!
exactly.
Norton, 82, spent four decades in and out of court fighting repeated arrests for gardening and wandering his yard in the nude.
................................
If his yard was secluded with privacy hedges or fencing I say he had a right to romp nude. But if his yard was in public view where kids, women had walked by I'd say he was wrong about wanting to cop a breeze. Personally I am not interested in seeing some old geezers yoohoo. I mean, a girls gotta eat and that would ruin my appetite. ack As for the burial request, why not he's DEAD! Who cares if he's clothed or not.
Agreed. What's the big deal? Are they going to dig him up and see he is nude? At that point will it matter? Dress him for the funeral if you need to and then bury him per his wishes.
and face down, so all can kiss my...Just wanted to be first.
I agree he had no right to do what he did, but why not honor the guys request? You could say, well, who cares, he's dead. But there is a strong cultural attachment to honoring the wishes of the dead, and I think it just makes the family look petty.
I for one, want to be burned in a viking funeral pyre.
Nobody gripes how we come into this world butt naked, why it matters in death is strange.
The worms ain't gonna care if he's dressed or not, why should his family?
Thanks. I haven't read this since it was posted Monday.
"I for one, want to be burned in a viking funeral pyre."
I personally feel it is my responsibility to make sure my dead body isn't a financial or real estate burden to the living. I need to get my living will finished. Cremated and scattered on the shore whence I was born. I'm so full of it I'll make great fertilizer for mother earth.
"Relatives say Norton suffered emotional problems after serving in the Army Air Forces during World War II."
Is that you Yossarian?
I'll bet you have a lot of friends.
"We didn't really know him. We just had him arrested," Loete said.
In today's America, that's the neighborly thing to do.
I think his relatives should just turn the other cheek and let him be buried in the nude. Let him give the authorities the... uh... bird.
Personally I find it unbelievably selfish when people make these sorts of outlandish requests of their loved ones. Once you're dead, what the hell does it matter? Let your family proceed with matters in a way that makes the greiving as easy to bear as possible. Why would someone want to put additional stress on their family at such a time? It's reall quite selfish.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.