Norman Brill Herkenham

Norman Herkenham, Father of the 26-mile Trail that Encircles Sedona



Norman "Norm" Herkenham, 92, died of natural causes at his West Sedona home early morning, October 5th, 2010. Norm, a renowned botanist and dedicated hiker, joined the Sedona Westerners in 1979, an organization dedicated to hiking and the preservation of the natural beauty of the Sedona area. He held many offices as a Westerner, including that of the "Trail Boss" (president). He was also an active member in Keep Sedona Beautiful, as well as Friends of the Forest.

Norm will be remembered by many as being honored as "Father of the Sedona Circle Trail," which came into existence after years of volunteer work by Norm with the U.S. Forest Service. Several benches have been placed around the trail system with the inscription: "This bench is dedicated to the efforts of Norm Herkenham � Pathfinder. A pioneer and leader in constructing the trail that circles our community." Nature lovers in Sunset Park know and enjoy his short �Lollipop Trail,� complete with signs. Others may know of the �Herkenham Trail," named to honor his contributions. Its trailhead is across from the Red Rock High School.

Norm and his wife Marge moved to Sedona in 1974 after he retired from the National Park Service. Norm�s career began in Yosemite National Park, and subsequently he worked as a Park Naturalist in Yellowstone and Rocky Mountain National Parks. Later, as a Park Planner, he helped create Canyonlands and Denali (McKinley) National Parks in Utah and Alaska. After retirement, he applied his formal education in forestry and also his vast knowledge of ecology to work with the Arizona State Parks to characterize and list local flora in the four local State Parks and to begin to construct his trail surrounding Sedona for the Coconino National Forest with their cooperation. Over the years, he succeeded in cataloging virtually every plant in Coconino National Forest, kept updated by other local botanists, and he used his knowledge in guided nature walks by providing both the common and Latin names of any plant he encountered.

Norm was born January 1, 1918 in Oakland California. He obtained Bachelors and Masters degrees from the University of California, Berkeley, and during World War II, he served as a lieutenant and minesweeper captain in the Navy. He married Marjorie "Marge" Watson Herkenham in 1942. She is also well known in Sedona because of her active role in the Westerners and the Sedona Gem and Mineral Club, for whom she has published the newsletter for many years. They have two children and two grandchildren. Son Miles Herkenham is a scientist working at the National Institute of Mental Health in Bethesda, MD, where he is credited for mapping neuronal pathways and neurotransmitter and drug receptors in the brain. Daughter Alice Simpson is a veterinarian with a practice limited to cats, called "The Cat Doctor," in Santa Rosa, CA. Alice is a horse owner and competes in local and state riding competitions. Grandchildren Lily and Zeke live in Philadelphia, PA and Fort Collins, CO.

A memorial service will be held at Greer�s Mortuary in Sedona on October 24 at 2 PM. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Sedona Humane Society, c/o Marge Herkenham, P.O. Box 3152, West Sedona, AZ.