Norman J. Scott Jr.

1934 - 2025

Norman Scott passed away at home in Joshua Tree on Friday, October 17, 2025, with Joan, his wife of 69 years, by his side.
He was born in Los Angeles, the eldest son of Norman J. (Sr.) and Marion (Riley) Scott.
He is survived by his son, Brian, and wife Jennifer, of Joshua Tree, daughter Elena and husband Ted of Henderson, Nevada, granddaughter Glorianne Slusher and husband Kody, grandson Bradley Loshbough, sister Barbara Terlip, sister-in-law Karen Scott and brother-in-law Rob Mattson and wife Candy.
He also has seven nephews and one niece.
He was preceded in death by his parents, his younger brother, Richard Scott, and his sister-in-law, Delores Steffen.
Norman was an animal lover and world traveler. As an undergraduate, he attended Humboldt State University in Northern California and later earned his PhD at USC.
From a young age, he was fascinated by snakes. He became a well-respected herpetologist and worked at UCONN and UNM, teaching and mentoring, authoring many scientific papers and several books. He frequently traveled for work and pleasure, often accompanied by his wife and children. He traveled extensively in Mexico, Central and South America, and even Africa. He researched and taught college and field courses on snakes, lizards, frogs, turtles, caiman, howler monkeys and an assortment of other animals.
Over the years, he made his home in California, Connecticut, New Mexico, Costa Rica and Mexico. In the Hi-Desert of California, Norman participated in the Joshua Tree Clean Crew and faithfully attended water aerobics classes with Joan at the Healthy Generations pool in Yucca Valley.
Norman will be missed terribly by family, friends and colleagues alike. No formal services are planned.