Norman C. Saunders

Norman Christopher Saunders, age 75 of Cambridge and Berlin, Maryland, formerly of Columbia and Silver Spring, Maryland and Alexandria, Virginia, passed away on Monday, June 19, 2023.  He was born in Washington, DC to the late Heywood Saunders and Marian Hoover Saunders on April 29, 1948.

Upon graduation from Wheeling Jesuit University in West Virginia, Norm went to work for the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) in 1970, where he was employed for over 37 years until he retired in 2006.  He worked within the employment projections program.

While at BLS Norm authored 13 Monthly Labor Review articles and coauthored others.  He also authored two articles for the Occupational Outlook Quarterly.  He was a founding supporter of the Federal Forecasters Conference, a forum where forecasters from federal agencies and other organizations met to discuss various aspects of forecasting.  Norm chaired nine sessions and presented four papers during his association with the group.  At BLS, Norm also worked with departments that provided training seminars for foreign visitors.  He spent time in Hungary and Trinidad under these programs.

Norm received a Department of Labor Distinguished Career Service award in March 1999.

Norm was an early home computer enthusiast and an avid birdwatcher.  As a member of the Maryland Ornithological Society, he served many years as the editor of their newsletter, “The Yellowthroat”, and helped in the production of other publications of the society.  Norm and his wife, Fran, were avid supporters of World Series of Birding activities, including those for youth.  Norm also served the society as a past president.  He developed the first Bulletin Board Service for birders, called “The Osprey’s Nest,” which later evolved into the MDOsprey listserv which put Maryland at the forefront of the digital birding world, enabling birders from all around the state and beyond to develop a sense of community.

Supporting the community was another of Norm’s goals and he served as President of the Bay Vista II (Berlin, Maryland) Homeowner’s Association for several years.

Norm is survived by his loving wife, Frances Coniglio Saunders; his children, Christopher (Barbara) and Maureen Cross; his grandchildren Emma Saunders, Courtney Shaver and Carmen Cross; and his sister Earlene Lady.  In addition to his parents, Norm is predeceased by his grandson Kevin Saunders.

A private committal ceremony will be held in the Columbarium of Saints Peter and Paul Church in Easton, Maryland.  In lieu of flowers please donate to an organization of your choosing in Norm’s honor or to the youth birding program of the Maryland Ornithological Society.  To donate to the society, send a check to Carol Daugherty/MOS Treasurer, 11925 Oden Ct., Rockville, MD 20852 and indicate that the donation is for YMOS programs in Norm’s honor.