Scott sharing a moment with Margaret McCartthy. — with Scott McDermott and Margaret

Scott's birthday. Diane baked Scott a cake decorated with fondant lillies. — with Scott McDermott and Daine Thompson

14 July 2025 Monday:  I still miss my best Academic Mentor Scott Allen McDermott.  Previously I posted my condolences. Kind regards, Dr Tom William PhD

It is with such a heavy heart that I post to this memorial page. I am a colleague of Dr. McDermott in the History Department at Albany State University. He was on my hiring committee and was definitely an anchor for our department in many ways. He had been there the longest, he knew everyone and was exceedingly polite- so everyone liked him, and he was dedicated to his job. We really lost a treasure.  I wanted to share with his friends and family an award I nominated him for sometime last year,  The Shining Ram award. He didn't win, but I just want to share the nomination with everyone anyway:

"Dr. McDermott exceeds all criteria for the Shining Ram Award. He is an excellent communicator and works toward making connections among many groups on campus, including between students and professors, new faculty and tenured, as well as between faculty and administration. His work on Faculty Senate, his contributions in developing a new History Major and his dedication to his students exemplify his integrity in doing the right thing, even if it means personal sacrifice. Dr. McDermott shows everyone on the ASU campus respect, from the staff to the students, and he is well loved for his efforts. Lastly, Dr. McDermott holds himself accountable for his classroom teaching and strives to improve his courses each semester by listening to student feedback and taking seriously their frustrations. Dr. McDermott goes above and beyond, he is constantly enrolled in continuing education programs to improve and update his teaching, he does stellar research every year, and he always is ready to help if you need him. Dr. McDermott is an excellent example of a Shining Ram and should be recognized for his unfailing dedication to Albany State University".

I told him that we unanimously nominated him sometime later. He was so shy about it, but honored and happy! I used to stop by his office all the time to chat, gossip about all the things, and most importantly for me, get reassurances and a few rebukes. He also knew when to politely tell me to shut up. 

I am really going to miss Scott.

Sincerely,

Alisha M. Cromwell

I was deeply saddened to learn of Scott’s passing. I knew Scott my entire life and he knew me for my entire life except for the year and a half he preceded me in birth. Our families were very close friends and numerous vacation trips included a stop to see the McDermotts wherever they might be. Scott’s dad’s work meant that he was dispatched far and wide throughout the Mid-South and we visited Bob, Pat, Scott and Kelly in Indiana, Kentucky, Tennessee and probably some other states. In both our childhoods and adulthoods, Scott was always a constant, unchanging presence. No matter how many years had passed since we last saw each other, Scott was always interested to find out was going in my life and hear of any new adventures that I had been involved in. He always amazed me by inquiring about something obscure that I had discussed with him 10 years before, remembering the topic with minute details that I thought only I could remember. Scott certainly made an impression on my life and I know he did to countless others during his lifetime. I know I’ll always see or read something that I will find myself saying, “Scott would have enjoyed this.” It will take me a long time to accept that I won’t be able to share these discoveries with him as I did for so many years.

I met Scott at a summer program for high school students in 1984--he very kindly rescued me from a truly tremendous bug that had taken up residence high on the wall of my room. We were housemates in college, and occasionally saw each other in later years. He always had interesting suggestions for books to read, from novels to history to religion; and any question or observation I put to him invariably received a thoughtful, well-considered answer with an understated humor. Most of our contact in the last decade has been through email, and each of Scott's messages is like a letter you would find in a published collection--his distinct voice and graceful prose making even these mundane communications memorable. I treasure them, as I treasure all my memories of this remarkable man. Scott, may God hold you in the palm of His Hand. 

Praying for Scott's family.  He was a great teacher and fought to preserve the History academic discipline.

My deepest condolences to the whole family. Scott was a wonderful person with an amazing mind. I admired how he could do an intellectual deep dive into everything. I remember that he wrote an entire academic paper on the television show, “Lost.” I know that he is enjoying learning about the mysteries of the universe up in heaven.

This is my nephew that I love so much!  I am glad I visited him and his mom in July 2024.  My last words to him was "I love you."  He was a remarkable man and I was always so proud of him and bragged many times about him!

Our deepest sympathy to Scott’s family, especially his beloved mother. He and Patricia have become good friends. I never experienced him as a classroom teacher but he recently gave me a copy of his book which is an excellent work of literature. Dr Scott will be missed. Peace be with you.    

Scott was one of my closest childhood friends. He had a profoundimpact on my life. Ever kind, always patient.  I am so grateful for his friendship. Scott showed an aptitude for teaching even as a high school student. He challenged me to be a better student and a better person. 

During the 40 years and 3+ months that Scott and I were fast friends, we passed back and forth many poems and snippets of literature. We read George Eliot's classic Middlemarch together one summer when we were serving as resident advisors for a high school seminar.   In 1987.  More than 30 years later in our correspondence we were revisiting Middlemarch and agonizing freshly over the characters' losses.  

In 2015, I sent him an Emily Dickinson poem without any preface other than it made me think of him.  Reading it today, it seems remarkably suited for the extraordinary person Scott was and how deeply, deeply he is and will be missed by so many.

Exultation is the going

Of an inland soul to sea —

Past the houses — past the headlands —

Into deep Eternity!

Bred as we, among the mountains,

Can the sailor understand

The divine intoxication

Of the first league out from land?

I have to believe that Scott is feeling that divine intoxication now as he was almost uniquely able to feel it and summon it in others during life.

May the peace that passes all understanding be with him and with his family.

I haven't been in contact with Scott since college, but I remember him as someone with a big heart who could get along with anyone, and I am saddened to learn of his passing. My condolences to his family and to those whom he touched.

I met Scott as a freshman in college.  Although he grew older and wiser and ever better with age, I think his heart has always been kind, his gentle sense of humor prevalent, and his intelligence keen.  I haven’t seen Scott in years but still deeply mourn his passing.  He was such a light.

Scott was a wonderfully kind thoughtful and humble person. God was doing so much in his life lately. He inspired me and made the world feel like a more noble and gentler place. 

I recently got to sit with Scott and discuss his life story - his and mine had similar digressions and overlaps   Several evenings I called him seeking re-assurance to strive in my walk of sobriety and chastity   He delighted me with insights into motley topics—from church politics to literature   In fact on two different occasions he was able to put into words how I felt myself and made  these feelings astute and valid. I remember hugging him eagerly and each time I felt warmer and more joyful as result  

I am saddened deeply and wish his mother and sister to know what a light he was to me and many in our church community. 

Scott- I pray for you today and am better for knowing you  

Scott- pray for us too;). Love you brother

I met Scott many times at church and he inspired me with how humble and kind he was, I am grateful we crossed paths, he is in my prayers today

It was a gift and blessing to have met Scott just months ago through church. He showed such kindness and openness to conversation, and I asked if I could call him to discuss some difficulties I am currently going through. Scott spoke to me for over an hour, empathically offering his encouragement. He shared some of life's lessons that he had learned. He invited me to reach out any time and said I could visit any time I am in Albany. I am deeply impressed by Scott's courage, wisdom, and generosity. He will be deeply missed.

Eternal God, in whom mercy is endless, look kindly upon Scott and enfold him within your merciful hands. May he enjoy eternal rest in the company of all who have gone before him marked with the sign of faith and hope. Amen.

I did not know Dr. McDermott as well as some of you, but what I do know is that I am absolutely heartbroken to hear of his passing. I was just a mere student in his class, sitting studiously in the first row. My knowledge of history was sorely lacking, however I got tickled every time he became animated when lecturing on the subject for the day.  For me, it was truly inspiring. I never thought much of myself in the way of becoming a history buff, but Dr. M changed that. In fact, when people ask me what it is like to go to ASU, I tell them I have been honored to have some pretty awesome professors, Dr. M at the top of that list. He gave the best feedback to his students in the way of meaningful contributions towards the assignment. As odd as it sounds, I looked forward to turn in each lesson and to show up to each class, just to hear what he would say. 

I have always tried to practice "giving roses to the living" by telling/showing people how they have impacted my life. The only solace I have of the sad news of Dr. M's passing is that I was able to do just that. Too little do we hear of the ways our efforts are recognized positively. I am grateful that I was able to tell him how he impacted my life as an educator. As he told me then, "We just have to hope that we are "planting seeds" which will someday come to fruition."  That seed has been planted and it will continue to grow thanks to him.

A brilliant thinker, devoted friend, exemplary godfather, and true Christian. He is irreplaceable, and will always be missed.