Scott Norman by Bill Gibbons and Others
Posted by: Loren Coleman on March 3rd, 2008
Scott Norman
It is very difficult for me to write these words about my friend and brother in Christ, Scott Norman. John Kirk and Loren Coleman has really said everything there is to say about Scott, a man who deepy impacted all of us who knew him.
I corresponded with Scott via email for about 4 years before we eventually met during our departure from North America for the 2001 Cameroon expedition. I was immediately struck by the peace that seemed to be embedded deep in his soul. Here was a man who truly walked with God. Although Scott was a quiet man, he was thoughtful, intelligent, always considerate of others and a profoundly decent and caring human being. His passion for Cryptozoology shone through in the almost encyclopedic knowledge he possessed on the subject. His focus on the search for Mokele-mbembe was almost laser-like, and his passion for the work that lay before us in Africa grew stronger by the day. Scott proved to us all that all that he was man that could be relied upon in any situation at any time. His solid presence, generous nature and tireless enthusiasm to render help and assistance whenever and wherever it was needed left us in awe at the man.
The news of his untimely passing came as a tremendous shock. I simply could not believe the news that had been conveyed to me via email from Loren Coleman, particularly as I was hoping that a joint expedition to Cameroon later this year with Creation Generation & CryptoSafari (of which Scott was the President), might be possible. Like myself, John Kirk and Rob Mullin, Scott was eager to get back to Cameroon for another crack at the elusive Mokele-mbembe. Tragically, this was not to be. While we grieve at the loss of this warmhearted, kind and gentle man, we are comforted by the knowledge that he is now in the presence of our Lord in that eternal city of light.
Scott, you may have gone from our presence here on earth, but you will never, ever be forgotten. We will continue to work diligently in your memory and honour, until we are reunited again in that holy place. ~ Bill Gibbons
Other tributes have also recently appeared:
In Memoriam (by Chad Arment)
and
Farewell, Scott Norman (by Matt Bille)
About Loren Coleman
Loren Coleman is one of the world’s leading cryptozoologists, some say “the” leading living cryptozoologist. Certainly, he is acknowledged as the current living American researcher and writer who has most popularized cryptozoology in the late 20th and early 21st centuries.
Starting his fieldwork and investigations in 1960, after traveling and trekking extensively in pursuit of cryptozoological mysteries, Coleman began writing to share his experiences in 1969. An honorary member of Ivan T. Sanderson’s Society for the Investigation of the Unexplained in the 1970s, Coleman has been bestowed with similar honorary memberships of the North Idaho College Cryptozoology Club in 1983, and in subsequent years, that of the British Columbia Scientific Cryptozoology Club, CryptoSafari International, and other international organizations. He was also a Life Member and Benefactor of the International Society of Cryptozoology (now-defunct).
Loren Coleman’s daily blog, as a member of the Cryptomundo Team, served as an ongoing avenue of communication for the ever-growing body of cryptozoo news from 2005 through 2013. He returned as an infrequent contributor beginning Halloween week of 2015.
Coleman is the founder in 2003, and current director of the International Cryptozoology Museum in Portland, Maine.
Very moving, Bill.