RIP Norm Liebmann/Firehat
God rest his soul
Posted on 04/09/2012 8:18:46 PM PDT by Jim Robinson
We, on the web, knew him as "Firehat". The world knew him as Norman Liebmann, outstanding award winning comic writer. He was our friend, always there with encouragement to fight the good fight for the country he loved so much.
Following is the message from his family, who we know must miss his wit and love even more than we do. There is an empty space no one else can fill with his passing.
THE PASSING OF NORMAN –Date : 2010-12-20
THE HAT’S OFF, BUT THE FLAME IS ETERNAL ©
by the Family of Norman Liebmann
It is with great sorrow that the family of Norman Liebmann (FIREHAT) now informs all his faithful readers of Norman’s recent passing, December 20, 2010.
Although a brilliant and popular writer with over 50 years experience in the entertainment industry both in New York and California, Norman Liebmann was a very private person- with his comedic and also serious side showing through in all his writings.
For any of those, and others past and future, who might also desire the pleasurable experience of reading Norman’s humorous, prolific, insightful and prophetic email writings, it is the family’s intention to keep Norman’s site and articles (all 595 of them) available, as they are timeless reading.
*** In an interview not too long ago, Norman was asked: “What about the future? Where are you going?” Norman replied: “There are many wonderful places still left for me to go. How “wonderful” they will be may depend on whether or not I have been invited.”
We feel – and many of his readers have expressed the same opinion – it can only be UP!
***
Norman Liebmann was a writer for many celebrities, most notably Jerry Lewis, Dean Martin, Bob Newhart, and Johnny Carson. The name Firehat came from a friend, a graphics artist, who quipped that Norman was on fire with his quick wit and never ending stream of quips, jabs and jokes. He created the image with the bowler top-hat and eternal flame that became Norman’s moniker... Firehat!
BTTT
Prayers up, for his family and friends.
May God bless.
Tatt
Yesterday I read a comment posted by some sweet lady who because of my failing memory I can’t remember her screen name, mentioned Firehat. Realizing I hadn’t seen his postings lately I went to his homepage to view his postings. His last one was in 2010. I then did a web search and found the obit. I checked the Memorial Wall and saw that his name was missing so I notified you.
Thank you for Freerepublic.
I corresponded with Norm for quite some time. He coined the term “Marxist Brothers” to describe one particularly leftist cabal of congressmen, and I wrote a piece describing what I called the “Lenin Sisters,” Susan Collins and Olympia Snowe. He contacted me and asked if he could borrow the line — high praise coming from a man of his talent.
I know his output has diminished of late and now I know why. But you can bet that if there are any shenanigans in the Great Beyond, Norm Liebman will not let them pass unnoticed.
Farewell, old comrade. Keep the fire burning.
However, here is a small sample of his work, preserved on Free Republic several years ago.
RIP Firehat, loved your This Just In articles. Nobody ever savaged the Clinton Admin the way you did.
Prayers for his family and friends during this difficult time. Whenever I read about a FReeper passing, I feel like I lost a good friend. Sad news...
prayers for his loved ones
5.56mm
RIP!
I pray the family has recovered from their loss.
Can you ping me if you find it. I see that his family had said after his death that they would maintain the website but apparently it’s gone. I sure hope it’s archived somewhere.
I got my first computer in 1999 and FR and Firehat were the first sites I visited...
I’m so sorry to hear of his passing and find it incredible that it’s news to all of us...Proves he must have been a conservative as his death didn’t warrant any mention in the media??
Thanks.
God Bless the Firehat Family.
Norm’s pieces were some of the funniest, and ACCURATE I ever read.
So long for now, Norm. We’ll meet eventually.
Pete
Another one on the wall. Gettin’ a little lonely around here sometimes, Boss. RIP Firehat.
RIP, Norm.
A post from the past...
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1289199/posts
Fond memories of FR past.
Lord our God, we pray for the soul of Thy servant Norman of whose death we just learned.
We also pray for the comfort of his family.
In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost, amen.
So sad. Norm and I had many good discussions here over a very long period of time. RIP, my friend.
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