jeans
Super Nomad
Posts: 1059
Registered: 9-16-2002
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Norman C. Roberts, Author of the Baja California Plant Field Guide passed away
http://www3.signonsandiego.com/stories/2009/may/03/1c03rober...
Mom always told me to be different - Now she says...Not THAT different
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Mexitron
Ultra Nomad
Posts: 3397
Registered: 9-21-2003
Location: Fort Worth, Texas
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Mood: Happy!
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I knew he was involved in a few things besides Baja but I had no idea to what extent! What a life...I'll be forever grateful for his book which
helped open the door to a whole new world of plants to me and many others. I ran into him once on the east side of Sierra Juarez and he seemed like a
great and humble person. Rest in Peace. Thanks for posting Jeans.
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Crusoe
Senior Nomad
Posts: 731
Registered: 10-14-2006
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Jeans, Thank you very much for the link to the passing away of Norman Roberts. May he rest in peace.Almost wears the average man out just reading
about his personal accomplishments and comittees and boards he was on. I had heard many years ago what an unusually energetic man he was. His field
guide has to be a must have for any curious type of persons traveling in Baja. For many years this book has been our favorite companion for short or
long walks/hikes. A form of an outdoor bible. Nothing better. ++C++
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David K
Honored Nomad
Posts: 64857
Registered: 8-30-2002
Location: San Diego County
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Mood: Have Baja Fever
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Vaya con Dios Norm... You did great, here on earth!
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Cypress
Elite Nomad
Posts: 7641
Registered: 3-12-2006
Location: on the bayou
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Still have his book. A treasure.
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jeans
Super Nomad
Posts: 1059
Registered: 9-16-2002
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Mood: Encantada
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My first camping trip in Baja was 11 years ago with the San Diego Natural History Museum. A bunch of us caravaned to Tajo Canyon. There was an older
man & his wife with us, but he was not "leading" the trip...just tagging along. Someone mentioned to me he had written a book on plants. He was
low-keyed and unassuming...I didn't realize until years later who he was.
Mom always told me to be different - Now she says...Not THAT different
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bajafool
Banned
Posts: 7
Registered: 5-3-2009
Location: Philly , PA.
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Not a night goes by when I don't reach for that book and thumb through the pages planning my next gardening adventure.
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flyfishinPam
Super Nomad
Posts: 1727
Registered: 8-20-2003
Location: Loreto, BCS
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Mood: gone fishin'
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I've always loved that book and understood that a second edition was on the way and the first is out of print. I sure hope the second edition will be
out at some point. Gracias Sr. Roberts for this lovely gift you left for us.
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Neal Johns
Super Nomad
Posts: 1687
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Location: Lytle Creek, CA
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Good man.
The technical source by Ira Wiggings, "Vegetation and Flora of the Sonoran Desert, 2 Volumes" is way over my head (and pocketbook).
[Edited on 5-4-2009 by Neal Johns]
[Edited on 5-4-2009 by Neal Johns]
My motto:
Never let a Dragon pass by without pulling its tail!
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wilderone
Ultra Nomad
Posts: 3824
Registered: 2-9-2004
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Quite a legacy that Norm leaves. A Baja pioneer - he must have had some extraordinary adventures. Hugs to his family - a wonderful man.
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rob
Senior Nomad
Posts: 509
Registered: 10-19-2004
Location: Pacific Coast, BCS
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Met Norm Roberts and a group travelling with him at the Meling Ranch in 1999. That was a memorable evening listening to the adventures of a group
whose oldest member had been travelling to Baja (if I recall correctly) for about 60 years.
He was driving a Sport Trek camper van conversion, a vehicle I would still like to own one day.
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jeans
Super Nomad
Posts: 1059
Registered: 9-16-2002
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Mood: Encantada
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| Quote: | Originally posted by Neal Johns
Good man.
The technical source by Ira Wiggings, "Vegetation and Flora of the Sonoran Desert, 2 Volumes" is way over my head (and pocketbook).
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Neal, when I was gathing information for that trip I posted my first post EVER on a Baja discussion board (either Amigos or Fred's.) The only response
I got was from YOU trying to lure me to your Desert Explorers outings!
Gotta watch out for internet predators..... 
Rob...that vehicle fits with my memory of the trip.
Mom always told me to be different - Now she says...Not THAT different
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bajajudy
Elite Nomad
Posts: 6886
Registered: 10-4-2004
Location: San Jose del Cabo,BCS
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So sorry to hear this news.
His is one of the books that goes with us on every Baja adventure.
My condolences to the family.
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Martyman
Super Nomad
Posts: 1904
Registered: 9-10-2004
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Where can I get his book? My friend has one and won't share.
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David K
Honored Nomad
Posts: 64857
Registered: 8-30-2002
Location: San Diego County
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Mood: Have Baja Fever
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| Quote: | Originally posted by Martyman
Where can I get his book? My friend has one and won't share. |
Do you see the post right above yours from Baja Judy?
Click the link: http://www.bajabooksandmaps.com/
She sells them!
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salttram
Junior Nomad
Posts: 50
Registered: 9-17-2003
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A Really Great Guy . . .
On New Year's Day, 2000, my wife and I had the opportunity to spend a few days helping Norman and Gelin get their van back home after their
transmission grenaded in the foothills of the Sierra San Pedro Martir. A real story in itself.
It wasn't until the next day, at a hotel in San Felipe, that it became clear to me that Norman was "the" Norman Roberts of the Baja California Plant
Field Guide. Wow. After helping him get the van back to his home in La Jolla and ferrying Gelin, they invited us back to dinner, and then, to spend a
weekend with them at their stunning home in Anza Borrego.
Norman was a true gentleman. He was laconic in his wit and sometimes you didn't get the joke until it was too late. He sometimes seemed grumpy, but in
a lovable way. I was sorry to hear that he and Gelin divorced, as I felt that they complimented each other in many ways.
Norman was (and is) a blessing to all of us who love Baja California. I will forever treasure the inscriptions he and Gelin added to our Baja
California Plant Field Guide. His spirit will live on in all of us who met or knew him, and in the soon to be released field guide. I look forward to
it.
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