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Norman Vaughan dies at age 100
Musher, adventurer dreamed impossible dreams, friends say
Beloved Alaska dog musher and world adventurer Col. Norman Vaughan died in an Anchorage hospital this morning among his family and friends -- just four days past his 100th birthday.
Vaughan was recently admitted to Providence Alaska Medical Center due to ill health, but he recovered briefly last weekend to enjoy a birthday celebration in the lobby, attended by more than 100 friends and hospital workers. "He died so peacefully," said Susan Ruddy, a family friend and an administrator at the hospital. "The big party last Saturday was a great send-off."
Vaughan's life as a sportsman, soldier and entrepreneur spanned the 20th century, but it was his buoyant example of how an active outdoor life doesn't have to end at age 70, or 80, or even 90 that inspired legions of admirers.
At 84, Vaughan was still entering and completing the grueling 1,100-mile Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race from Anchorage to Nome as the self-proclaimed "oldest and slowest" musher in the world.
At 89, he climbed a 10,320-foot Antarctic peak that Admiral Richard Byrd named in his honor 65 years earlier during their historic 1928-1930 South Pole expedition.
Vaughan was assisted on his 1994 Antarctica expedition by his wife, Carolyn, and Alaska mountain guide Vern Tejas.
"I know how to dream big dreams," Tejas said later, "but Norman dreams impossible dreams. That's what I want to learn from him."
Funeral arrangements will soon be announced, Ruddy said.
here's to an all around badass RIP