George Fawcett, the UFO man, dies
Fawcett investigated more than 1,200 UFO sightings and taught a college course on the topic.
A longtime Lincolnton, N.C., resident known as the UFO man died Jan. 20 at age 83.
George Fawcett spent more than 65 years researching and writing about UFOs, according to the Charlotte Observer. The Observer reported that Fawcett's articles were published by Argosy, True Magazine and Flying Saucers, and that he taught a UFO course at Gaston College in Dallas, N.C.
According to the Observer, Fawcett investigated more than 1,200 UFO sightings and founded the North Carolina chapter of Mutual UFO Network, a nonprofit organization that investigates reports of UFOs.
The Mutual UFO Network posted a tribute to Fawcett after his death.
"The field of UFOlogy owes George a great debt of gratitude," the tribute says. "Thank you George and may you rest in peace."
A 1985 article in the Los Angeles Times described how Fawcett became interested in UFOs at age 15 after reading a news story about silver balls floating in the air that were supposedly part of a Nazi plot to frighten the Allies.
In the article, Fawcett said "I'm not the Billy Graham of UFOs, I'm more like the Curious George."
That curiosity made Fawcett not only an avid researcher, but also a beloved figure around Lincolnton. The local pastor, the Rev. G. Miles Smith, said in the Observer article that Fawcett "was gentle, humorous and had a wide-ranging interest in the world and a love of the world. He was just a sweet guy. A really genuine good man."
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