I write this post with great sadness and a sense of personal loss. Norman died last night at the Halifax Infirmary. Norman had been ill for some time, but still found time to phone us daily to keep up with what was going on at the School. The official announcements have been made; this is an opportunity for all of us to express our personal sentiments and memories.
Norman was a truly remarkable person; he’s the kind of person I’ve always wanted to be. Words and phrases that come to mind when I think of Norman are: Gentleman, kind, funny, sweet, caring, patient, generous, sensitive, empathetic, classy, brilliant, absolutely phenomenal and scary memory, soccer crazy. I could go on and on. I never heard an impatient or unkind word from Norman, and I’m sure he was more patient and understanding with me than I deserved. Norman’s contributions to the Information Management profession are legion and legendary; the people he touched and affected impossible to count. I can’t imagine the School without him.
My fondest memories of Norman revolve around soccer, a passion for which we both shared. Norman was an avid Manchester United fan, while I’m a Gunner (Arsenal) girl to the core. Norman and I would never fail to remind each other of our respective team’s victories, and commiserate or rejoice at the results of the World Cup, UEFA Cup, Euro Cup, and so forth. When it came to international competitions, Norman and I shared a common bond in our ever-optimistic support of England. I shall always picture Norman smiling down at me whenever I watch a Man U match, particularly if they beat Arsenal.
Norman left this world a far better place than he found it. We miss you, Norman.
“We are United.” Manchester United.
Thank you Louise for such a fitting and eloquent tribute to Norman. He was indeed “larger than life” and a remarkable individual. Your comments resonate with me as I sit here and reflect on some of my own memories: a fabulous trip to New York City, pjama day (which sadly I could only appreciate vicariously as I was not in that class), his insigtful/pithy observations, the famous fireside chats, and that way he had of looking at you and asking you a question at the very moment you ceased to pay attention. My condolences and best wishes to all.
Nancy E. Black (class of ’81)
My own Norman Horrocks moment comes from his sense of humour. We bumped into one another on the second day of CLA 2009 in Montreal and he asked me how I was enjoying my stay at a hotel that was not a conference hotel. I told him it was a great place and I had a real comfortable sleep, and that’s when it hit me – I hadn’t actually told anyone yet where I had been staying. I called him out on this and asked him how he knew where I was staying. He just winked his eye at me and walked away, chuckling at my expense. To this day I’m not certain how he knew which hotel I was staying at.
Godspeed, Dr Horrocks.
Michael Steeleworthy (MLIS 2010)
I learned of “Uncle Normie’s” passing with great sadness and can only echo faintly all of the superlatives used above about him. He was kind, tolerant and insightful as a teacher and director of the library school when I was a student. He always remembered each of us and knew our foibles whenever we met again; his memory was remarkable. My fondest memories of him are from our “Fireside Chats” in the Working Collection in the Killam Library; he truly loved knowing and sharing what he knew. He has a permanent place in the hearts of all his students. Tom Flemming (MLS 1974)
Indeed Louise. A fitting tribute. Norman was the ultimate mentor. Someone who watched over my career from the very first letter he wrote to accept me into the school. He kept in touch,( anything Ukrainian was passed along!) he was my personal disseminator of information. My career and passion would not be half of what I have gained without his care and interest.
Norman was first and foremost a great dad and grand dad. He was so proud of his family. We have lost a wonderful friend,teacher, mentor and ultimate conference player, but Sandy and his children have lost their beloved dad and husband. He will be sorely missed.
Terri Tomchyshyn, MLS, 1981
My last visit with Norman was over lunch at the National Library, when he spoke at some length about his marvelous career, and when it was over, we could have sat through it all again. The stories he could tell! And his intelligence service experience served him well; whenever something was up at CLA, I always knew that Norman would find good reason to call me that day, just to see if there was any news! how did he know? He was truly unique and shall be remembered well and missed greatly.
Ditto. Uncle Normie was my mentor, particularly with regards to membership and involvement with professional associations and for that I will always be truly greatful. He was a wonderful man and I will miss him.
Betty Sutherland (MLS 1974)
Well said, Louise. Norman could always be counted on to remember people, make introductions, and share his vast experience and wisdom. He always had time for people, regardless of their status; he ensured we each felt “special.” Few have made the impact he has. He will be long remembered. Godspeed, Norman!
The library profession has lost a wonderful leader, mentor and friend. I always marvelled at his diplomacy, lack of judgement and acceptance. He always had faith in our students, our associations and our future. He was a very good man and I miss him already.
I am saddened greatly by Norman’s passing, and feel that I have lost one of my professional touchstones. That I can say this after being a student at Dal for only one year, and met Norman again only briefly a few times in the intervening years, is a tribute to his professional and human greatness. I learned from him that in the professional world, emotional arguments hold no sway, that one must prepare a carefully thought out position before a meeting–but he taught that while at the same time honouring our feelings. My fun memory of Norman is seeing him in a bell-hop uniform at CLA Vancouver many years ago. His luggage had been lost and he had convinced his hotel to lend him a suit. Obviously he couldn’t decide which would be more un-Norman like, to be seen not wearing a suit; or to be seen wearing a bell-hop’s suit! Bless you, Norman.
To commemorate Norman’s tremendous impact on our profession, CLA has set up a blog in his memory, and we welcome you to contribute your thoughts and memories.
http://www.clatoolbox.ca/Norman_Horrocks/
Norman Horrocks was one of the stellar “Names” when I was an MLS student in the late 1970s at FLIS (now the iSchool). He had an impressive and extensive array of honours and achievements attached to his reputation even then. When I first had the opportunity to meet him when teaching Gov’t Info Resources at SIM in 2009, Norman very kindly took responsibility for delivering the British portion of this course. He arrived at the class with a book cart filled with what could only be referred to as “props” which he proceeded to use as spring-boards for a master-class on the full range of British resources. Each item, whether it was a newspaper clipping, a monograph on some esoteric topic, or an item of special interest from Norman’s vast experience with these tools and traditions was explored with insight, humour and expertise.
Also, Norman had taken the time, trouble and care to create an individualized assignment for each student in the case, based upon his own “intelligence” about their background, origins or interests. All of this done with consummate care and concern for the learning of these MLIS students.
It’s an immeasureable loss for students, teachers, practitioners and professional alike that Norman’s presence will no longer be directly experienced in the classrooms and common rooms of the profession. However, his spirit resides in many minds and we shall miss his important voice in our pursuits.