Normann was deeply appreciative of these awards, and sincerely felt undeserving. But a little-known gesture only a few months before his death meant more to him than any other. As chairman of the Highway Capacity Committee as it was reconstituted in 1953, his role had not been easy. The committee included in its membership men of brilliance, but whose brilliance was in some cases matched by their strong wills. As the work on the new manual was nearing completion, some issues became increasingly difficult to resolve, some philosophies were at wide variance with others, and schisms within the committee threatened. Eventually agreement was reached, but few knew of Normann’s concern over what he construed as disharmony for which he felt somehow responsible, and perhaps even a lack of confidence of the committee in its chairman. His doubts and fears were relieved, however, during the 1964 meeting of the Highway Research Board when his committee members, in a carefully staged luncheon, presented him with a very fine watch bearing the engraving ‘to Mr. Capacity’. Such tributes are not uncommon upon completion of assignments or retirement from office, but how often does a committee make such a heartfelt expression of appreciation to a chairman who is continuing in office?
No one is indispensable, but O. K. Normann came close to being irreplaceable.
Reprinted with permission from Australian Road Research, Vol. 2, No. 1, September 1964.
