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Crypto Rescue

Posted by: Loren Coleman on October 12th, 2006

Craig Heinselman

Do something good today. Help out a member of our community get back up on his feet!

This is not about me. But I empathize. Living the life of a cryptozoologist, on the edge of survival, is not easy and is no joke. I think we all have are own personal stories of struggle.

People think I am joking when I talk about money problems, because people have a fantasy that if you are an author or a retired university instructor you’re rich. I’ve experienced it all personally, this life on the edge, and yet make a choice to hold to the path, to keep out there beating the bush for cryptozoology or to do the other things I do that I have mentioned here lately, regarding my work around school shootings.

Some stories are similar, plus more. I know of people - with well-known names - who live with terminal illnesses, who have gone in and out of remissions, struggling to make it healthwise, although they may be comfortable with financial supports. Others, who want no one to know about what’s going on, make their small steps to recovery through each individual victory. Their tomorrows are built on these hopes and enjoying the moment.

Craig Heinselman

Then there’s the story of Craig Heinselman (above), who many of us know from his days as the editor/publisher of Crypto, a late 1990s free newsletter on cryptozoology.

Born in May of 1974 in St. Paul, Minnesota, Craig Heinselman had a fascination with natural mysteries, beginning in the early 1980s. For years, he avidly read the literature and conducted field and bibliographical research in cryptozoology. A particular interest of his was in literary representations of cryptozoology (i.e. cryptofiction). Living and raising a family in New Hampshire, many of us ran into him at regional Bigfoot conferences in the late 1990s and early 2000s.

Craig published his Crypto journal for a few years, beginning in 1998, and also put out some special issues. These were the Special Dracontology Issue I, Special Hominid Issue I, and Special Hominid Issue II. Chad Arment has generously made these available for years, as pdfs. Click here and you can download them.

Then, all of a sudden, Craig Heinselman dropped out of the cryptozoology scene a few years ago. Why? He shared with a few of us, tragically, that he was diagnosed with brain cancer. He felt it was time to be with his family, in his last days, and he circled his wagons. That’s understandable.

However, surprise, surprise, the other day, I heard from Craig. He said he was feeling better, wanted to "creep back" into the cryptozoology community.

I caught up with him, and learned his journey back has been anything but easy. Craig is trying to rebuild resources, contacts, and files. Why would he have trouble doing this, you might ask, in this computer age when all his old materials should give him a clue about how to jump back in? Well, that’s a story in and of itself. But here’s a summary…

Besides his brain cancer, here’s what has happened to Craig Heinselman recently: he suffered an accident in late 2004, walks now with a cane; both his wife’s parents died in 2005 and 2006; his mother was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2005; his father also has cancer; and finally, Craig lost 95% of everything when his home burned to the ground in May 2005. The fire destroyed his entire cryptozoology collection of casts, books, and publications. Everyone got out safely, but he is starting from scratch.

Therefore, I would like to put this call out to the Cryptomundo community to assist Craig Heinselman re-capture that spark back. If you want to help Craig rebuild his cryptozoology life (don’t send money - he has a job that is supporting his family fine), look around your place for those paper items that he is trying to replace in his life. For this Crypto Rescue, please forward to Craig an extra or duplicate cz book, cryptofiction work, or publication you might have on your shelf gathering dust.

Please send your book and publication contributions to him c/o

Thank you.

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This entry was posted on Thursday, October 12th, 2006 at 12:08 am and is filed under Artifacts, Books, Breaking News, CryptoZoo News, Cryptozoologists, Cryptozoology, Evidence, Forensic Science. You can follow responses via our RSS 2.0 feed. You can skip to the end and leave a response. Pinging is not allowed.

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12 Responses to “Crypto Rescue”

Grant responds: October 12th, 2006 at 12:22 am
Is there a list of the CZ items he’s trying to replace?
P.S.Anderson responds: October 12th, 2006 at 8:28 am
Good Luck and God’s speed, Craig.
MattBille responds: October 12th, 2006 at 2:28 pm
To Craig: You’re an inspiration to all of us. My two books and a collection of the Exotic Zoology newsletters will be on their way soon.
God bless you,
Matt
Lee Pierce responds: October 12th, 2006 at 9:22 pm
I will send some things, Craig. We “Crypto Kids” need to stick together. Also, I write western fiction. I’ll send you a copy of my latest novel. Give you something to do when you’re not in a crypto mood.
Lee Pierce responds: October 13th, 2006 at 8:39 pm
Interesting only four responses so far.
Lee Murphy responds: October 13th, 2006 at 9:47 pm
First off, I want to say I think the world of Craig. He was very kind and encouraging when I started getting my books out.

This makes me think of all the egos and bickering that has been going on most notably at another site I frequent, but has spread to a few others, a little bit here. Craig Heinselman’s return to this field reminds me of the level-headed, serious people not only as researchers go, but many of us in the audience and it makes me glad. Of course this includes all the bloggers connected to this site, as well as Matt Bille and many, many others whom I also respect.

Craig’s coming back after his time away could not have come at a more appropriate time. Those of you not familiar with the work he has done should try to familiarize yourselves with him.

And of course I will be sending you my books, Craig. Welcome back.
heinselman responds: October 14th, 2006 at 11:39 am
I’ve been tied up most of the week with work, so am just getting around to checking on things in between family events this weekend (daughter’s Birthday, she turns 6).

The post from Loren was most unexpected, but shows the kindness and heart that many of us have known within the CZ community. The comments posted as well show the kind of people that are out there. My utmost respect goes out.

One slight correction to Loren’s post, it was my mother’s parents that passed away in 2005 / 2006 (my grandparents, children’s great-parents). My wife’s mother is still alive, her father passed on in 1990.

Overall things have been good, and times felt like they were right to resume slowly the trek back into CZ. Although a number of files and items were sold or donated several years ago, others were replacing them (i.e. new editions of books, tracks, etc.). The May 2005 fire destroyed many things, but not my family which is the critical aspect of it all. We set-up in a new community, restructured our lives, and moved on. My daughter is now 6 (Cheyenne) and my son is now 4 (Cole). Cole is learning slowly to speak and work through his developmental disabilities. My wife (Angela) has worked diligently with him to get those first few words out, and let me tell you they are beautiful to hear.

As for those who have asked about goings on in general. Loren’s post outlines most of them. Life has been good, and a new outlook has been provided. I’ve started a new job with a smaller company, after 15 years with a previous employer. This has allowed a refocus on analytical and interpersonal skills vs. supplier/customer negotiation and plant management, but has also allowed a reduction in work hours from near 100 per week to 50-60 (including 3 hours of commute daily). This free time allows more family focus, and CZ focus now.

Writing wise/research wise, little has occurred CZ wise in the last few years. Some work was done in the quality assurance, injection molding and facility management side of my life (but this is not the most thrilling or exciting thing around).

To all though, it will be a gradual return and I look forward to it. The writing, research, but more importantly the people.

Craig Heinselman
Peterborough, NH
CryptoInformant responds: October 16th, 2006 at 4:48 pm
Well, I don’t have anything to send but I do know that once you get your crypto-stuff back in order you could collect new info via Cryptomundo, and the various researchers represented here.
Rod Dyke responds: October 16th, 2006 at 6:55 pm
Dear Craig,

It is with great surprise and pleasure to see you Cryptozoologically re-emerge.

Welcome back … but sorry for the long road you have been down to get back.

I thanked you before for all your donations to The Archives for Cryptozoological Research when in it’s infancy. We are still growing strong and are sending a huge box of books, periodicals, research files, video … even some of your original files are being returned to you. (Most of your donations have been filed with our files, which you of course you may have full access. Some of the materials being sent/returned are duplicated copies others are originals.

They include in part:

13 soft and hardback Crypto books.
26 I.S.C. Newsletters (Greenwell)
18 Bigfoot Times (Perez)
13 Bigfoot Bulletins (Haa)
12 Pursuits (Sanderson)
8 INFOs (Willis)
9 Bigfoot News (Byrne)
18 other various Crypto periodicals

1 large file of Crypto materials (various)

1 Video (from your files)
4 Files returned from your donations.

I hope you find the materials of use and do please let us know how we may be of help in your research! WELCOME BACK … Now dare I ask if you will continue your excellent publication CRYPTO ? We sure hope you will …

Best wishes,

Rod

Roderick Dyke
Archives for Cryptozoological Research
13371 Manzanita Road NE
Bainbridge Island, Washington 98110 USA

Member: Society of American Archivists
Life Member: Manuscript Society
Peter Hassall responds: October 16th, 2006 at 7:04 pm
Craig, it’s great to hear that you are back on the scene despite all the terrible stuff life has thrown at you. I’ll dig through my files and see what books I have spares of and check what clippings, etc. you might like photocopies of.

All the best,

Peter
kraskasbtrhalf responds: October 17th, 2006 at 8:17 pm
Craig - My faith in the world is renewed…with the news about you. Lee Murphy’s comment is so true. In a sea of egos…you never exhibited anything but a sincere interest in the crypto world. Chris and I have wondered about your prognosis for a long time. I kept thinking positive thoughts and am so surprised to find out they have been rewarded with your current health status!! Knew about Cheyenne…but had not heard you also have a son. Hope his development continues on a positive tack (Chris is now a “highly qualified teacher” in special education - so he’d be a good resource for you). We will be sending you books, and various other resources. Glad you’re back…now maybe some good work will emerge again!

Laurie Kraska
youcantryreachingme responds: December 12th, 2006 at 8:28 pm
I missed this article when it was published earlier this year, but perhaps for good reason - only yesterday a member on an unrelated group posted a lengthy piece which closed with the line:

“Remember be kinder than necessary, for EVERYONE you meet is fighting some kind of battle.”

How true that is.

Kindest regards to you Craig, and to your family. I can well imagine the delight it must be to spend so much more precious time with them now that work hours have been cut back.

Chris.

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