VANCOUVER -- Norman Leslie Dockum, 92, of Vancouver, Washington, died Wednesday, November 14, 2007, after a short illness. Norman was born June 12, 1915 in Peabody, Massachusetts to Wilbur Granville Dockum and Anna Lee Ayers Dockum. Growing up, he lived in Oklahoma and Indiana and attended high school in Ogden, Utah. Norman graduated from Utah State University in 1935 and, during his time there, met Maxine Argyle Stocks. He went on to study at Purdue University, graduating in 1939. He graduated from bachelorhood on September 6, 1941, marrying his sweetheart Maxine at her parents' home in Bountiful, UT, after which they moved to Fort Warden on the Washington peninsula. Three months after Norman and Maxine's wedding, Pearl Harbor was attacked and the U.S. entered World War II. Norman was active duty in the army from July 7, 1941 until March 18, 1946, serving in Africa and attaining the rank of captain. After the war, the Dockum?s moved to Kennewick where Norman worked as a biologist at Hanford, studying the effects of radiation on wildlife. Their house on Kennewick Avenue still stands. Their sons, John and Don, were both born in the Tri-Cities. Later, the family moved to Utah where Norman worked in electron microscopy research at the University of Utah. Norman went on to hold a faculty position at the University of Nebraska Dental School, teaching histology and gross anatomy, delighting his students with his sense of humor and publishing numerous research papers. Norm and Maxine retired to Sequim, WA in 1979 where they lived for two decades on Diamond Point. Norm's retirement years were most defined by being a loving husband, father, and grandfather. The son of an army colonel, Norm's military background proved no match for his five granddaughters and one grandson, who never failed to melt his tough exterior. Norm was an avid outdoorsman, hunting and fishing regularly. His grandchildren share fond memories of clamming and crabbing on Puget Sound with Grandpa and Grandma Dockum. In 2000, Norm and Maxine moved to Vancouver, WA to be near their son, Don. After Maxine became ill with Alzheimer's, Norm continued to show his true colors in his later years, taking extremely tender care of his wife. After Maxine moved into a nursing home, Norm spent time with her every day until his final days. He passed away peacefully with his son and daughter-in-law by his side. He is preceded in death by his son, Dr. John Granville Dockum. He is survived by his wife of 66 years, Maxine Argyle Stocks Dockum, of Vancouver; son Donald Royd Dockum and wife, Angela, of Vancouver; daughter-in-law Lori Dockum Markle and husband Jeff, of Kennewick; grandchildren Nanette Kaye Dockum of Kennewick; Nollie Dockum Haws, and husband, Andy, of Hilliard, OH; Rikker Nielsen Dockum and wife Thunrada, of Bangkok, Thailand; Bekka Dockum Besich and husband, Randy, of Tempe, AZ; Kira Danielle Dockum and Kaylee Donelle Dockum, of Kennewick; and great-grandson, Benjamin Andrew Haws of Hilliard, OH. Norm's first great-granddaughter is due in December. Visitation will be held on Friday, November 16, 2007 from 3:00p.m. to 8:00 p.m. at Mueller?s Chapel of the Falls located at 314 W. 1st in Kennewick, WA. A Memorial service will be held on Saturday, November 17, 2007 at 9:00 a.m. at Mueller's Chapel of the Falls in Kennewick, WA.