‘Love, Norm’ book details Dr. Norman Fintel’s life lessons

“Love, Norm: Dr. Norman D. Fintel on Equality and Courage in a World Calling for Change,” is a book by Barbara Fintel Collins with and about her father, Dr. Norman D. Fintel, who was Roanoke College’s eighth president. 

Fintel had already started a book of life lessons for his grandchildren when he was diagnosed with Stage 4 non-smoker lung cancer in 2016. He was also witnessing unprecedented division and polarization in the country. During what she calls his “miracle remission,” he asked her to help finish the book.

Collins, in the prologue, describes the book as “thirty-four life lessons and a message of hope for anyone searching for ways to help heal the wounds of the world.”

The story of the creation of the book is as touching as the contents of the book itself. Collins and Fintel recorded conversations centered on his practical advice. Then she found 470 pieces of his lifetime writings such as speeches, letters and reflections. In his writings, the themes of his life came together, and she learned the influences that shaped her father.

Fintel died the morning of April 7, 2017, the same day he and Jo, his wife and the College’s former first lady, were to receive the Roanoke College Medal. He had already asked his family to stand in for him. Led by Jo Fintel, the family attended the awards luncheon, joined by Ken Belton ’81 and other members of the “Four Horsemen” — basketball alumni who played at Roanoke during the Fintel presidency and who were close to the couple.

“Dr. Fintel’s life and words of encouragement released something within me that has allowed me to excel and succeed beyond my expectations,” said Belton, a member of the Roanoke College Board of Trustees. “I know that his life examples will continue to inspire others as much as they have inspired me.”

In the following years, Jo Fintel moved in with Collins. In the book, Collins describes reading the book proof to her mother in what would be the last week of her life.

“I read the book to my mom, her eyes open to an unseen audience, unable to speak, but squeezing my hands in her favorite parts. Ten minutes after finishing the final word on the final page, she died, holding my hand. No doubt she went straight to tell Norm all about it.”

Dr. Fintel’s life lessons are about being a moral person, leadership and working with others, family, community and changing the world in positive ways. A few examples:

• No. 7 - Everyone is equal. Look beyond what makes us different. A good Samaritan unselfishly helps others, especially strangers. The Nebraska state motto is “equality before the law.”
• No. 11 – Luck is where preparation meets opportunity.
• No. 13 – You can work miracles when you don’t know that something is impossible.
• No. 21 – Solutions are discovered when people take ownership of the process. “A leader plants seeds and stirs the pot.”
• No. 28 -- Don’t forget to slow down and enjoy the beauty of the earth. We all must be its guardians.

Collins is one of the three Fintel children. Her sister, Peggy Fintel Horn ’78, is a member of the Roanoke College Board of Trustees. She is married to Doug Horn ’78. Their brother, Dr. William Fintel, is the medical director for Carilion Clinic Hematology-Oncology.

Collins is a co-founder of Dining for Women, the largest global giving circle movement dedicated to advancing gender equality and well-being for women and girls around the world. DFW has 9,000 active members in 500 chapters in nearly every state, and 31,000 alumni members. Together, they have invested $8 million in 200 organizations working in 140 countries, impacting the lives of 1.5 million women and girls. Under her leadership, Dining for Women has initiated partnerships with the Peace Corps, UNICEF, OXFAM, and Michelle Obama’s Let Girls Learn Initiative. Collins was named an Everyday Freedom Hero by the National Underground Railroad Freedom Center.

"Love, Norm" is available from the Roanoke College Campus Store (open online, even while closed in the pandemic) and from Amazon and Kindle. Collins is donating half the proceeds of the book back to Roanoke College.