This article has been reproduced from the web site of Kerrville in Texas, USA & depicts one of founders in a nice, rounded manner. It is a fitting tribute that 60 plus years we’re still here in our idiosyncratic, independent way … still travelling J Thank you Norman for setting us on our way … The Ant
Kerrville – Norman D. Ford, 88, of Kerrville, passed from this life on June 19, 2009 at a local health care center.
Born in 1921 to Frederick William John Matthew and Jessie (Shortland) Ford, Norman Ford grew up an only child in Wales, England and was a lifelong cyclo-tourist, mountain hiker, kayaker, traveler, healthy lifestyle advocate and environ-mentalist.
By the time he was 18, Norman had already bicycled the United Kingdom, so when World War II abruptly put an end to all civilian travel, he trained to become a radio officer in the Merchant Navy and spent the next six years sailing the seas on merchant ships and visiting ports in countries from New Zealand to USA, the Middle East and Sri Lanka.
Early in 1947, he immigrated to the US and after working several jobs, he managed, in his spare time, to write a book called “Where to Retire on a Small Income”. First published in 1950, this guidebook became a popular seller. With the royalties, he quit his editorial job, moved to Florida and became a freelance travel writer.
By the mid 70’s, however, travel writing had become extremely competitive, so he moved to Boulder, Colorado and began writing health books. After about 10 years, due to an ever growing population in Boulder and loss of cycling-friendly roads, he then moved to Kerrville where he lived until his passing away. He was somewhat of an iconic figure in the cycling world, both locally and nationally.
During his 50 years as a freelance writer, he had written sixty books–mainly on travel, health and retirement- including two that sold a million copies each. Norman was also founder and first president of the Globetrotters Club, which encourages members to travel and explore the world on their own via bicycling. Altogether, he had bicycled in 38 countries and once, he even bicycled 2,234 miles in 28 days from Istanbul to London.
He was once quoted as saying: “Never try to tell everything you know, it may take too short of time”.
He is survived by his 2 sons, Eric and Kirk Ford and 3 stepsons, Douglas A. May, Roland R. May III and Curtis W. May.
Picture courtesy Kerrville Funeral Home : Norman smiling
A memorial service will be held to celebrate his life on Friday, July 24, at 12:00 P.M. at the main chapel of Kerrville Funeral Home of Kerrville, and his sons, Eric and Kirk Ford are hosting a commemorative 3 mile bike ride in/near Kerrville at 7:30 AM that same day.
The full article can be found at http://www.kerrvillefuneralhome.com/content/obituaries/view.jsp?OID=50085
When I was 19, I read the 1960 edition of Norm’s book, “How toTravel Without Being Rich.” (By the way, if youhave a copy of that edition, I’d be happy to pay you for it.) I chose to travel down the Pan American Highway in 1962, alone, virtually all overland by public transportation armed with the above HTTWBR and Norm’s “Fiesta Lands,” about Mexico. In all, starting from New Jersey, I traveled about 10,500 miles down the PAH to Buenos Aires from Laredo, and another 6,500 miles in side trips in Mexico. Everything I saw and experienced was exactly as Norm described it (although the $99 total cost of traveling the PAH had inflated to $125 by 1962). Many years later, Norm and I became email penpals. To me he was a hero.
My husband and I just completed a 6-day tour of New England to sample the history, culture, and geography. We used Mr. Ford’s book, “America by Car” (1979) as our guidebook and had a fabulous trip. Thirty-four years after it was published, we found his advice to still hit the mark. I vowed to write him to thank him upon our return, only to learn of his passing in 2009. If any of his friends or family happen to read this, please know that his legacy lives on.