Dr. Norman Epstein was born on June 14, 1896 in San Francisco.  His father was an immigrant from Lithuania and came to the west coast to become a potato farmer.  Owing to his mother who enthusiastically stimulated Dr. Epstein and his brother, Ervin Epstein, Sr. M.D., they undertook a medical education.  Dr. Epstein received a M.D. degree in 1923 from the University of California at San Francisco and became Resident in Medicine, 1923-1924, and Resident in Dermatology and Pathology, 1924-1925 at the University of California.  He spent 1925-1926 as Resident in Dermatology at Western Reserve University.  He received his American Board of Dermatology and Syphylology in 1934.

Dr. Epstein practiced dermatology from 1927-1975.  His teaching continued in the same period in the Dermatology Department , University of California, at San Francisco, with appointments starting from Clinical Instructor to Clinical Professor Emeritus.

He belonged to various Professional Societies including the American Dermatological Association (Vice President; Chairman of Membership Committee), California Medical Association, Pacific Dermatological Association (President), and the San Francisco Dermatological Association (President).  More than 60 scientific papers were written by Dr. Epstein.  The most important contributions are seen in the fields of syphilis (artificial fever therapy), sclerederma adultorum, and keratoacanthoma.

He died in 1975 during a trip to Russia.

Dr F.J. Szymanki, editor of the Centennial History of the American Dermatological Association stated, "Dr, Epstein was a warm, friendly human being, who was loved and respected by all of his colleagues.”  He is the example of a perfect man - a loving husband, a superb father, and an excellent physician.