Scott A. McCaig

Scott Angus McCaig was a man whose character, energy, warmth and light will forever be impossible to adequately describe with words. To those that were lucky enough to know him, they can attest this rings true. To the others that are reading this, this will be a trivial glimpse of the gift that this man was to humanity.

Scott was born on July 4th, 1954, to John Francis William McCaig and Miriam (Baxter) McCaig as a naval baby in Norfolk, Virginia. He was the middle child of three - an older sister, Jean, nicknamed Beaner by Scott and a younger brother, Douglas, whom he called Doctor.

He was a true July baby with a sunshine aura and a personality worthy of the Independence parade. His character from childhood didn't change much as he grew into an adult. He always carried the optimism and hope of a child at heart. This was coupled with an anticipation and excitement for life. He loved the ride from moment to moment even if he knew what was coming.

Scott’s physical form was a signature of his spirit. Scott was tall in height with sturdy shoulders. His father was barrel-chested, and Scott always felt the same, but for Scott, it was more his essence that gave way to the impression. He was someone who could truly enter a space and be seen and glow. He loved a firm handshake, but even more so loved a good finger point.  If he was ever self-conscious you would never know it. He was always so relaxed as himself and brimming with the confidence and ease to present to the world exactly as he was.

His nose was aquiline and it gave so much character to his face. Scott’s eyes were always direct and connected with a smile. To his close circle, a tongue always hanging out of his mouth. It reminded you of a dog out the window on a highway - happy and free. To quote one of his favorite films, he was a “MOG.” “Half man, half dog. I’m my own best friend.” - (Spaceballs, 1987)

His gait always had a spunk. Tight hips but a power walker. Long legs with an urgency to get going even when there was nowhere important to go. Scott knew there was a life to get on living. He took breaths so deep, slow, intentional and pure. His consciousness understood the ability wouldn’t always last.

His Scottish (Farquharson) lineage left him with little color on his cheeks no matter the sun. It was his soul’s refusal to be dimmed even by a tan. Many people’s soul light spills through their eyes, but Scott’s light played through his hands. His gestures constantly dancing and weaving magic throughout the world around him. Calloused and strong, balanced with a gentleness that could frame any item to sell like a hand model from a magazine. When he’d dance, he’d give way to a movement full of joy that looked like a bouncing slinky.

Scott had an ease of athleticism. He was vascular and pumping with life. For him, it felt good to move, but more than that, he was often in awe of his physical form. He would watch the grace of his own movements with the flicks of his wrist and the dance of his fingers. Scott loved to feel the power that the mind can feed to the body, and at the end of life he showcased the height of this mental fortitude to be like the heroes of legend. He was relentlessly brave and unimaginably powerful.

He spent many years rowing - at Tabor Academy, University of Tampa, Boston University, Union Boat Club and The Royal Henley Regatta with great athletic victories. He shared countless hours in boats with lifelong friends. Scott loved the water, the oar, the power, the connection, the rhythm, the beat, and the dance of the stroke. It encapsulated so much for him. It was sport, but it was also an art that allowed for space for his full expression - open, unfiltered and raw. Rowing is a sport where you give all of yourself, and that's something Scott knew how to do. He gave himself freely and unabated to the world around him.

Scott understood that all was one. For him, this meant that we are all one of the same and that service to others should always come before service to self. In the mid 1970’s, Scott spent time working with lost and troubled juveniles as a contributing member of VisionQuest. There he supported youth rehabilitation through a rigorous 1,600-mile cross-country wagon train that built fortitude, confidence, responsibility and new pathways for brighter futures. An equanimitous mind made him everyone's friend and a natural leader. Every person he met would be greeted with gentleness, encouragement, laughter and one of his many signature catchphrases, like “Zup.”

At one pivotal point in life, Scott’s friendliness moved to love, and he wed Diana Lynn (Tabke) McCaig in May of 1987 at his alma mater’s chapel in Marion, Massachusetts. Together they were married for 38 years. They had four children - Laurel, Alexander, Gunnar and Kirsten (Doll.)

To his children, Scott (Dad) was the world’s greatest cheerleader. He always made them feel special, outstanding, and remarkable no matter how trivial the accomplishment. He had the inability to emote any other feelings besides optimism, celebration and joy. He would give grace so effortlessly to situations or people that had wronged others and always lifted your heart in hopes of a better tomorrow. He was the best father.

Scott spent many years striving for the highest level of performance in all that he did. He held senior leadership roles at Hamilton Cornell Associates, Les Emballages Knowlton, Pharmasol, and Wal-Mart to name a few. He specialized in management consulting, entrepreneurship, and executive leadership. Scott had an uncanny knack for operational efficiency and math driven decision making that could turn any business into a leader of its sector. His track record was impressive but also came with many lessons and tremendous hardships. Towards the end, he learned that performance does not equate to value, no matter how grand the show. Value is intrinsic in who we are, and will always be untouchable, unbreakable, and undeniable. Scott understood true worth—a worth that carries a deeper reverence for people and life itself. 

Scott appreciated the beauty in everything. From the voice of a song to the joke in a script. He would repeatedly and obsessively take in all the creativity around him. He loved the arts - movies, comedy, music, paintings, poems, etc. He carried a deep appreciation for anyone that played with life and highlighted the wonder. 

He was a lover of animals, most notably dogs and birds. In his later years, he liked to sit in the sun and watch his feeders. It was another example of how Scott truly appreciated and savored the simple beauty of life and always kept his soul open and connected to the world around him.

Scott had a long and difficult battle with head and neck cancer, which prematurely took him from this world shortly after his final July birthday in Carver, Massachusetts. Through long and challenging treatments, and countless clinical trials, Scott kept a can-do, will-do and unshakeable positive attitude. His approach lifted the energy of all the doctors, nurses and patients he interacted with, and always kept his family thinking that he might actually be the guy to beat the rigged game of cancer. Even at the time when he became physically his weakest, his stoic mind and personality still bestowed insight on how to be your best. This hard journey cemented his values and left him with so much wisdom to share. Scott was eager to teach anyone who would listen. If you do care to hear some tidbits for yourself, Scott’s reflections on life can be found here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZERs3YBRBs8.  

Scott devoted himself to the mysteries of the universe and thinking deeper. He always felt a bond to so much more and had a heartfelt desire to teach the world a better way to be. He is probably learning now on the other side that he did indeed accomplish this. The world is a better place because Scott McCaig was in it. He taught us what unconditional love meant for life and for each other, and that will continue to spread from his spark.

If you miss Scott, or would just like to say hello, quiet your mind, breathe deep and imagine yourself soaking up the July sun. You will feel him. He is there.

In the words of Scott Angus McCaig - Keep the faith. Stay positive. Love ya.

Donations in honor of Scott can be made to L/L Research at https://www.llresearch.org/donate.

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