GATOR DETACHMENT 990
MARINE CORPS LEAGUE
GAINESVILLE FLORIDA
Once a Marine, Always a Marine
MARINE CORPS LEAGUE
GAINESVILLE FLORIDA
Once a Marine, Always a Marine
Remembering Our Friend, Norm Froscher
Norm Froscher (center) receiving award from John Force (left) and Barry Schmoyer. Photo used with permission of Auto Imagery, Inc. ©
As a friend of Norm Froscher, I know most of his story second-hand.
I know in the early 1950’s, Norm worked on planes - Corsairs. Later he was the sports editor for the Gainesville Sun. And his passion for writing about motorsports won him a pile of awards. On the Legends of NASCAR site, there are a few articles that highlight his talents. That site is www.legendsofnascar.com/Norm_Froscher.htm. Speaking of NASCAR, a few years back Norm spent the day with driver Jeff Gordon, accompanying him everywhere on the day of the Daytona 500. Gordon went on to win NASCAR’s biggest race. You can bet Norm found a lot to write about from that experience.
I also know he was later inducted into the NHRA Hall of Fame, which is a rare honor for writers. And when he received his award for 50 years of motorsports writing, NHRA superstar John Force wanted to be the one to present it, returning the favor that Norm had recently presented Force with the Car & Driver DRIVER OF THE YEAR award. And he received the award at the Gainesville Raceway, home of the Gatornationals and a track whose new facility boasts the Norm Froscher Media Center.
His laid-back style and his calm pursuit of a good cigar made Norm a person you wanted to just stand near, to share that calmness. Norm was a people person, which fit his vocation so well. He could talk to everybody because he was a very likeable guy. One day at the Gatornationals, I walked around with him and he introduced me to legends: Force, Prudhomme, and even the “new kid with the low ET” at the time, Whit Bazemore. He moved through people like water.
With all the accolades, he still made time to work for the Gator Detachment, staying in touch with media for events and communicating with TV and radio stations.
Roland Via from NascarLegends.com wrote, “I am so sorry to hear of Norm Froscher’s passing... He was a writer’s-writer and will be missed.”
Dave Kommel of Auto Imagery (specializing in motorsports photos) said, “He was a good man and will certainly be missed.”
I know that Norm was blessed with a beautiful wife Marilyn, and I have recently heard from his son Teague. We pledge them our support during this sad time. “Semper Fi, Norm.”
- Scott DuPree