Robert W. Norton, executive vice president and director of equity sales and marketing at Smith Graham & Co. Investment Advisors, was killed Dec. 31 in a crash with a car as he was riding his motorcycle in Delray Beach, Fla., Gerald B. Smith, chairman and CEO, said in an interview.
Mr. Norton, 61, had held his roles at Smith Graham since joining the firm five years ago, Mr. Smith said.
Before joining the firm, Mr. Norton was managing director and head of marketing at Ark Asset Management from 1984 to 2009 and at its predecessor firm, Lehman Brothers Asset Management from 1984 to 1989.
“It's obviously tragic for all of us,” Mr. Smith said of Mr. Norton's death. “We're all saddened by his passing. He was a very good person. He really cared for others. He will be missed.”
In regard to a successor, Mr. Smith said, “We haven't even thought about that. It's not the biggest priority, (which) is to help his family and for all of us at the firm who cared about him in the healing process.”
Mr. Norton received an MBA from Seton Hall University.
Mr. Norton “had a passion for Harley-Davidson (motorcycles) and old American cars,” according to an obituary in the Palm Beach Post that was published Jan 7. “Bob loved boating and fishing, golf and traveling for pleasure.”
Mr. Norton, who resided in Delray Beach, is survived by his wife, Karen, among others.
The family requested a private funeral service, Mr. Smith said.
A memorial service will be held from 1 to 4 p.m. Saturday at the Hilton Short Hills, 41 John F. Kennedy Parkway, Short Hills, N.J., and is open to the public, Mr. Smith said.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society, donor services, P.O. Box 4072 Pittsfield, MA 01202 or The Mikva Challenge Foundation, 332 S. Michigan Avenue, Suite 400, Chicago, IL 60604.