Nick Icorn passed away in his sleep, yesterday. Diver, diving leader and diving historian.
Nick icorn
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Here ii a bit more info on the Diving Pioneer:
Nick Icorn
No better way to celebrate Christmas than in the presence of Christ. Nick Icorn fell asleep this morning and woke in heaven. The Scuba Industry has lost an icon. He will be greatly missed by his peers, family, and friends. A small memorial will be held at Forest Lawn, Cypress, California on Saturday December 28 at 9 a.m.
Nick was born in Hollywood, California. He always had an interest in the ocean. From the age of eight he would go tent camping on southern California beaches. He learned to swim in the Huntington Beach surf and in the pool by the pier. He entered high school in 1943. He was kicked out of the Merchant Marines when they found out he had lied about his age and was only 14. His mother helped him enlist in the United States Marines in 1944. He served in the Philippines and Saipan in the aftermath of WWII.
He married Marilyn in 1950. His diving career began one day at her uncle’s home where in a pool he donned a mask and fins for the first time.
Nick was part of the first formal Underwater Instructors Course. He holds Instructor certifications from the YMCA, Los Angeles County, NAUI, SSI, PADI and NASDS. In 1969 he became the first Executive Director of PADI developing programs and standards. Under his leadership their instructor base went from 234 to over 12,000 worldwide. He wrote numerous training manuals for the industry including the first, “Standards and Procedures Manual,” and the “Basic Scuba Course,” and the, “Course Director’s Manual.”
He worked for many of the US diving manufacturers including US Cavalero, Ocean Dynamics, Healthways, US Divers, and Sherwood Selpac as an engineer helping in the design evolution of diving equipment.
His honors include two NOGI awards, the DEMA Reaching Out Award, The California Scuba Service Award, the Conrad Limbaugh Memorial Award, and International Legends of Diving Award. He was inducted into the International Scuba Diving Hall of Fame and the NAUI Hall of Honor.
The Great Barrier Reef in Australia, the Maldives, Belize, Hawaii and of course Southern California are some of the places he has been diving. His only diving accident was in the 1970’s in the Bahamas when he suffered the bends.
He has volunteered hundreds of hours lecturing on the evolution of diving, and often displays pieces from his vast collection of vintage diving equipment.
Nick Icorn
No better way to celebrate Christmas than in the presence of Christ. Nick Icorn fell asleep this morning and woke in heaven. The Scuba Industry has lost an icon. He will be greatly missed by his peers, family, and friends. A small memorial will be held at Forest Lawn, Cypress, California on Saturday December 28 at 9 a.m.
Nick was born in Hollywood, California. He always had an interest in the ocean. From the age of eight he would go tent camping on southern California beaches. He learned to swim in the Huntington Beach surf and in the pool by the pier. He entered high school in 1943. He was kicked out of the Merchant Marines when they found out he had lied about his age and was only 14. His mother helped him enlist in the United States Marines in 1944. He served in the Philippines and Saipan in the aftermath of WWII.
He married Marilyn in 1950. His diving career began one day at her uncle’s home where in a pool he donned a mask and fins for the first time.
Nick was part of the first formal Underwater Instructors Course. He holds Instructor certifications from the YMCA, Los Angeles County, NAUI, SSI, PADI and NASDS. In 1969 he became the first Executive Director of PADI developing programs and standards. Under his leadership their instructor base went from 234 to over 12,000 worldwide. He wrote numerous training manuals for the industry including the first, “Standards and Procedures Manual,” and the “Basic Scuba Course,” and the, “Course Director’s Manual.”
He worked for many of the US diving manufacturers including US Cavalero, Ocean Dynamics, Healthways, US Divers, and Sherwood Selpac as an engineer helping in the design evolution of diving equipment.
His honors include two NOGI awards, the DEMA Reaching Out Award, The California Scuba Service Award, the Conrad Limbaugh Memorial Award, and International Legends of Diving Award. He was inducted into the International Scuba Diving Hall of Fame and the NAUI Hall of Honor.
The Great Barrier Reef in Australia, the Maldives, Belize, Hawaii and of course Southern California are some of the places he has been diving. His only diving accident was in the 1970’s in the Bahamas when he suffered the bends.
He has volunteered hundreds of hours lecturing on the evolution of diving, and often displays pieces from his vast collection of vintage diving equipment.
OP
MEMORIAL, Saturday, December 28,2013.
Church of Our Father, Forest Lawn, 4471 Lincoln Avenue, Cypress, CA.
Church of Our Father, Forest Lawn, 4471 Lincoln Avenue, Cypress, CA.
Sadly not surprising that so few today seem to know the name. Heck you mention Jacques-Yves Cousteau to OW divers and many haven't a clue who he is either.
Yep. Had a student look at a picture of Jacques Cousteau that was pasted above the wheel of one of our favorite St. Lawrence River dive boats and ask, "Who is that guy?" Growing up at PDIC headquarters, I often heard Frank Murphy talk about him. I finally met him at a trade show. We sure had some legends in the golden years.
Of course even those who know the name Jacques Yves Cousteau, undoubtedly do not know Émile Gagnan (co-0inventor of the demand regulator).
Hope the memorial service yesterday was well attended, Tom.
Hope the memorial service yesterday was well attended, Tom.
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