Farewell, Scott Norman by Matt Bille
Posted by: Loren Coleman on March 4th, 2008
Who is Scott T. Norman? Those not involved in cryptozoology won’t know, and perhaps won’t care. But they should.
Scott, who died this past week from a blood clot at the too-young age of 45, is an example of an overlooked figure in science these days, the dedicated amateur enthusiast. Such people have always been the unsung heroes of science. With the exception of some specialized groups (bird-counters and asteroid hunters come to mind), 21st-century science tends to pay little heed to the amateur.
Scott was enraptured by cryptozoology only in the last decade of his tragically short life, but he threw himself into the quest to learn more about the unconfirmed animals that might be out there. In addition to creating some of the leading websites to collect and disseminate information, Scott befriended almost everyone in this field, shared his enthusiasm with everyone he met, and, most significantly, put his money and his body where his heart was. Scott went tramping through the least-known regions of Africa, at significant personal risk and largely at his own expense, to chase down reports of unknown apes and reptiles.
He never found definitive evidence, but that’s not the point. The point is that cryptozoology, science in general, and the world at large need people like Scott Norman.
We’ll miss you, Scott. I hope you have your answers now. Farewell, Scott Norman ~ 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.
Hip! Hip! to the amateurs in science. Very well said Matt. Scott leaves other amateurs the legacy of his passion for the field.
Men and women like Scott Norman are what make cryptozoology so interesting. The idea that non-professionals/scientists can have a share in discovery of something is great.
Nicely done Mr Bille.
it’s worth remembering that the supposed (and i emphasize this point because i don’t believe it myself) difference between an amateur and a pro is that an amateur does it for love and a pro does it for money.
again, i don’t believe in this distinction per se. clearly, Loren is a pro and loves cryptzoology. but it does point out that even if Scott was “only” an amateur, Scott was clearly doing it for the love.
a very fitting tribute to a Christian believer, i would suggest. and inspiring.
it may be that his love and devotion to the crypto world inspires others to pick up where he left off. in fact, if the outpouring here is any indication? i would suggest that it’s probable.
in one sense, then, his contributions are invaluable — literally, beyond monetary assignment of worth — which is the ultimate compliment:
Scott Norman transcended any distinctions between “pro” and “amateur” and simply but against long odds made a lasting impact on his chosen field of study.
that’s quite an accomplishment, and again, a sign of a real ‘researcher’ if ever there was one.
Didn’t know much about him.
But clearly I missed out.
Excellent article and one can only hope that even though it seems a lot of pros & amateurs are sadly leaving the field that there are many more ready or already caring on the search. R.I.P. Mr. Norman, you will be missed.