Norman C. Mindrum, 77, the first chief executive officer of the National 4-H Council, served in various executive capacities in its Chicago and Chevy Chase, Md., offices.

A resident of Downers Grove, he died Tuesday in the University of Illinois Hospital.

The 4-H is in an international youth organization that offers educational programs and community service opportunities for more than 5 million young people in rural and urban areas.

Mr. Mindrum, who was born on a farm near Rushford, Minn., earned a bachelor of science degree in agriculture from the University of Minnesota. He later received a master's degree in education from the University of Maryland.

After working as a schoolteacher in Minnesota, he became a county agriculural agent in Winona County, Minn. In 1950, he was named assistant 4-H leader in that state.

Three years later, he was named executive director of the 4-H Foundation in Chevy Chase, Md. Mr. Mindrum developed the National 4-H Center located there as a force in training and research for young people.

In 1958, he was named executive director of the National 4-H Service Committee in Chicago. In 1976, he engineered the merger of the service committee and the National 4-H Foundation, whosework had increasingly overlapped. The newly created organization became the National 4-H Council, and he was appointed its chief executive officer and, later, its president.

Mr. Mindrum retired in 1982.

He was a former member of the board of directors of the Sears Roebuck Foundation and of the executive committee of the National Safety Council. He was also on the board of the Erickson Institute in Chicago.

Mr. Mindrum also was on the High School District 99 Board of Education in Downers Grove. He was a vestryman and warden for St. Andrews Episcopal Church in Downers Grove.

Survivors include his wife, Dorothy; four sons, Jon, Tom, Bob and Craig; 10 grandchildren; two sisters; and a brother.

Visitation will be from 7 to 9 p.m. Thursday in the Toon Funeral Home, 4920 Main St., Downers Grove.

A memorial service for Mr. Mindrum will be held at 7:30 p.m. Friday in St. Andrews Episcopal Church, 1125 Franklin St., Downers Grove.

Norman Mindrum (1917)