ANTHC mourns the loss of Rev. Norman Elliott, ANMC’s longest serving volunteer
September 23, 2016Categories: Alaska Native Medical Center, ANTHC
When it comes to recovering from an injury or illness or facing a terminal illness, for many of our patients, there is more to the healing process than medicine and care received from our medical staff. Many of our patients welcome visits from clergy volunteering at the Alaska Native Medical Center. On Sept. 9, the Rev. Norman H. V. Elliott passed away in Anchorage. “Father Norman,” as we lovingly know him, was a kind, gentle man who loved the people of Alaska. Rev. Elliott was a longtime volunteer at the Alaska Native Medical Center, starting his decades of service at the old Alaska Native Services hospital in downtown Anchorage in 1958. Rev. Elliott arrived in Alaska in 1951. He initially served at St. Mark’s Church in Nenana, was ordained a priest in 1952, and served as a priest, rector or archdeacon until his passing earlier this month. Rev. Elliott traveled to nearly every Alaska Native village in Alaska at one time or another and knew everyone. He embraced the rugged Alaska lifestyle and was known to fly his bush plane and run a dog sled team to minister to congregations throughout rural Alaska. In the early 1960s he settled down in Anchorage to be the rector of All Saints Episcopal Church, and served his congregation for 27 years until he reached the mandatory retirement age of 70. Rev. Elliott was visiting ANMC as recently as mid-August this year, and as a volunteer chaplain, he made almost daily visits to all local hospitals. At 97, Rev. Elliott still wanted to make sure the people were visited, prayed for and blessed. He will be genuinely missed by our team and the people he dearly loved and who loved him. The nature of the service provided by clergy members is unique and special. We are so grateful for Rev. Elliott and the 58 years of service he provided to the Alaska Native people.