Norm VanSoest
Former Chair of the Plainfield Historical Preservation Advisory Committee, Norm VanSoest was born and raised in Belmont, the seat of the currant township offices - in fact, those buildings were erected on property that once was his Grandfather's farm.
Norm's leadership has been demonstrated throughout his life and career. After serving as an Instructor in the United States Marine Corps, he managed three different sales and engineering field offices for his employer, Rapistan.
Interested in building team success, he studied the Dale Carnegie program for improved performance and eventually became a Graduate Assistant for the basic course.
Seeing a better way to get things done in the workplace, Norm created and managed a centralized parts and service organization. His work in the material handling field has been published in articles detailing small parts handling and Maintenance Management Planning. Along the way, Norm served his community as President of Charlotte Public Schools Board of Education and Master of Charlotte Lodge #120, the Eaton County United Way Screening Committee, and Director of Lions International local club. He also served as Elder of the Presbyterian Church in Noblesville, IN.
While serving in the U.S. Marine Corps, Norm became fascinated with the history of the Civil War, included as part of training for Platoon Leaders. He now has an extensive Civil War library, and has visited many battleground sites from the Revolutionary War, Civil War and other early American conflicts.
Norm was appointed to Plainfield Historical Preservation Advisory Committee by the Plainfield Charter Township Board of Trustees in 2009. He has conducted in-depth research of the history of Plainfield Village and debunked the myths about the life of local legend Chief Wabasis and his buried treasure. In 2022, Norm became part of the Historical Society Transition Subcommittee. He became a member of the Board of Directors of the Plainfield Grand Rogue Historical Society later that same year.
Norm's leadership has been demonstrated throughout his life and career. After serving as an Instructor in the United States Marine Corps, he managed three different sales and engineering field offices for his employer, Rapistan.
Interested in building team success, he studied the Dale Carnegie program for improved performance and eventually became a Graduate Assistant for the basic course.
Seeing a better way to get things done in the workplace, Norm created and managed a centralized parts and service organization. His work in the material handling field has been published in articles detailing small parts handling and Maintenance Management Planning. Along the way, Norm served his community as President of Charlotte Public Schools Board of Education and Master of Charlotte Lodge #120, the Eaton County United Way Screening Committee, and Director of Lions International local club. He also served as Elder of the Presbyterian Church in Noblesville, IN.
While serving in the U.S. Marine Corps, Norm became fascinated with the history of the Civil War, included as part of training for Platoon Leaders. He now has an extensive Civil War library, and has visited many battleground sites from the Revolutionary War, Civil War and other early American conflicts.
Norm was appointed to Plainfield Historical Preservation Advisory Committee by the Plainfield Charter Township Board of Trustees in 2009. He has conducted in-depth research of the history of Plainfield Village and debunked the myths about the life of local legend Chief Wabasis and his buried treasure. In 2022, Norm became part of the Historical Society Transition Subcommittee. He became a member of the Board of Directors of the Plainfield Grand Rogue Historical Society later that same year.
