Posted Jul 28, 2008
It is with great sadness that we announce the sudden passing of long-time Nor Cal photographer Norm Cabana. In June, Norm was diagnosed with a rare form of cancer. They did all they could at Stanford medical facility before sending him home. Norm spent the last few days surrounded by his family.
"I have known Norm for about 10 years now," said Jerry Kunzman, Nor Cal Regional Director. "He was a good businessman and always came through for me anytime I needed something special. He was a good man and a good friend. He will be missed for sure."
Norm ran a photography company focusing on motorsports. He ran his business, Head-On Photos, at trackside with the help of his two sons Paul and Steve. They will be taking over the business and expect to continue on with the schedule of shooting.
When asked to formulate some words, Steve Cabana wrote:
"I doubt anyone who has talked to Norm would ever deny that the man loved racing. He could and frequently did walk into your pit and talk to you like an old friend. Because you were part of NASA, that made you family.
That simply is who Norm was.
There are a great many things we will miss, but thing one thing I will always remember is that he had the courage to live life. Norm had a transparency to him that was inspiring. He told it like it is and would never give up on the things he wanted.
In business he was a stout competitor and as a father a selfless and loving teacher. He was a man who taught us all to look forward no matter how bad things might be.
We didn't like him because he was a great photographer, a great businessman, or even a great father. We all liked him for who he was-an intense, intelligent, and friendly man who was hard to ignore. He never stopped trying, each and every weekend he was in your face with a smile and a hello.
Norm was a man whose heart burned with passion, constantly striving and fighting to succeed, never letting anyone tell him he couldn't reach his dreams.
If he could tell us to honor him in some small way, he would tell us to fight and compete with courage and dedication because in the end, it doesn't really matter if you placed first, second or even last. No one can beat you if you race with purpose and intensity.
We will miss him, but I am so immensely proud that we all got to know him. Not just as a Son, but like you as a friend and brother in racing."
And so closes a chapter that will live in many people's memory forever. From the entire NASA community, we send our condolences to the whole family.
