About Norman
McCombs,
author of
A Reason to Be

Norman McCombs was born in Amherst, New York, in a home built by
his immigrant father. He graduated from Amherst Central High School
where he met his late wife, Grace. Norman went on to earn an AASEE
from ECTI, along with a BSME and an ScD from the State University
of New York at Buffalo, while serving in the New York State National
Guard.
Norman is a Fellow of the American Society of Mechanical
Engineers, which honored him with the EDISON Medal, their highest
patent award. He has received numerous awards for technical
achievement, including the National Medal of Technology and
Innovation from President Obama for developing the portable
oxygen concentrator credited with saving and extending the lives of
millions with lung diseases.
As Norman stood outside the East Wing of the White House, he
asked himself a simple question: How did I come from the
circumstances of my birth to the steps of the White House? That
moment prompted Norman to search for deeper connections to his
ancestry.
The death of his wife, Grace, led Norman into a depression he
denied at first until a close friend helped him get the help he needed.
After recovering from his depression, Norman left western New York
and began to write A Reason to Be.
Norman has over two hundred patents worldwide, primarily for air
separation technology used for a myriad of oxygen applications
around the world. He is also an Officier Commandeur of the Chaîne des Rôtisseurs, as well as a sculptor,
classical guitarist, and an avid fan of opera and the fine arts.
You can find more information on Norman McCombs at NormanMcCombs.com.

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