Re: [Texascavers] Blair Pittman Obit in The Big Bend Gazette

[PRESTON FORSYTHE via Texascavers]

Sorry to read about Blair and his interesting life. Wish we had known him. 
Thanks for posting.
Preston Forsythe  

On Wednesday, November 30, 2016 9:51 PM, via Texascavers 
 wrote:
 

  Blair Pittman Obit Attached (if the attachment did not come through on the 
re-mailer, write me and I'll send it directly) is the excellent obit for Blair 
that appeared in the Big Bend Gazette. It is distributed to the caving 
community with permission and encouragement of the editor, Marlys Hersey. Send 
her a thank you at Marlys HerseyEditor, The Big Bend Gazette(432) 
386-0479www.bigbendgazette.com with a copy to Jean Hardy-Pittman at 
"Hardy-Pittman, Jean"  Both will greatly appreciate your 
note. Blair's first wife, Abbie Brummett was known as "Tink". Blair and Tink 
were married in Caverns of Sonora. Tink's parents (James and Ann Brummett) were 
then at Caverns of Sonora and later moved to Cascade Caverns and then to Inner 
Space. (Thanks to Carl Kunath for straightening me out about that!) Troy passed 
away a few years ago, while Blair was living here in Terlingua. DirtDoc 
xHi, Dwight. How sweet. Here it is, 
attached. I JUST NOW found this in my "drafts" folder. I am sorry for the 
delay. I have no idea why it did not send 9 days ago when I first drafted this. 
 Marlys HerseyEditor, The Big Bend Gazette(432) 386-0479www.bigbendgazette.com  
 Original Message 
 Subject: Blair's obit
 From: dirt...@comcast.net
 Date: Tue, November 08, 2016 3:55 pm
 To: edi...@bigbendgazette.com John and Marlys: We are subscribers and 
long-term supporters of the Gazette, and also a very long time friend and 
adventuring associate of Blair Pittman. I'm a link to the caving community and 
would very much like to obtain an electronic copy of your excellent obit for 
Blair to share with some of his cave exploring friends far from Terlingua. 
Thanks for your consideration. Dwight DealBox 10, terlinguadirt...@comcast.net
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Re: [Texascavers] Blair Pittman

[Fritz Holt via Texascavers]

Agreed. As is said, Blair was bigger than life. Wish I had known him better. 
Fritz Holt
fritz...@gmail.com

Sent from my iPhone

> On Oct 12, 2016, at 10:11 AM, via Texascavers <texascavers@texascavers.com> 
> wrote:
> 
> I have that book as well, Fritz, plus his Texas Caves book.
>  
> A very entertaining read and I imagine sitting on the porch out there every 
> time I read it.
>  
> Beautiful photographs in his Caves book.
>  
> My kids and I stopped by the ghost town to see him a few years back. We just 
> missed him, as he had been airlifted to SA or Houston for a stroke or cardiac 
> issue he had just experienced.
>  
> His residence/cats/and the ghost town was just a unique as he was.
>  
> A terrible loss.
>  
>  
> Mark Alman
> texascav...@yahoo.com
>  
>  
>  
> From: Texascavers [mailto:texascavers-boun...@texascavers.com] On Behalf Of 
> Fritz Holt via Texascavers
> Sent: Wednesday, October 12, 2016 9:58 AM
> To: Jenny Holt
> Cc: Jacquetta Breedlove; June Levy; Mandy Holt; texascavers@texascavers.com
> Subject: Re: [Texascavers] Blair Pittman
>  
> I found Blair Pittman's 50 page  booklet titled "Tales From The Terlingua 
> Porch". He wrote inside, "To Fritz - If It Ain't The Truth - It Outta Be - 
> April 9, 08  -Enjoy-
> Viva Terlingua !!!
> Blair Pittman
> (Ver Batim) Your nostalgic dad. 
> 
> Sent from my iPhone
> 
> On Oct 11, 2016, at 9:27 AM, Fritz Holt <fritz...@gmail.com> wrote:
> 
> Not sure but I think we met him before his accident. I will look for his 
> signed book which is probably dated and will let you know. Dad
> 
> Sent from my iPhone
> 
> On Oct 10, 2016, at 11:33 PM, Jenny Holt <jhol...@hotmail.com> wrote:
> 
> Dad,
> I also sent this to you, in case you hadn't seen it. We met him at a rock 
> shop just out of Study Butte heading towards BBNP - was that before his 
> motorcycle accident or afterwards?  I remember he was driven up by a driver 
> who also had tourists who got out to visit the rock shop & he sat out on the 
> porch with us & gabbed. He was great & quite interesting. 
> 
> Sent from my iPhone
> 
> On Oct 10, 2016, at 11:08 PM, Fritz Holt <fritz...@gmail.com> wrote:
> 
> We met him at a shop in Terlingua or nearby and he autographed his book that 
> we purchased, From The Back Porch, probably on our group trip in 2008? He was 
> a writer, photographer and well known and liked by cavers and lovers of the 
> Big Bend area. Fritz
> 
> Sent from my iPhone
> 
> Begin forwarded message:
> 
> From: via Texascavers <texascavers@texascavers.com>
> Date: October 10, 2016 at 9:41:47 PM CDT
> To: Cave NM <swrcav...@googlegroups.com>, Cave Texas 
> <Texascavers@texascavers.com>
> Subject: [Texascavers] Blair Pittman
> Reply-To: texascavers@texascavers.com
> 
> Another unique individual is gone -  Exploring and photographing caves was 
> only only one of the remarkable and exceptional  aspects of Blair Pittman.
>  
> DirtDoc
>  
> From: "Terlingua Moon" <terlinguam...@gmail.com>
> 10/10/2016
> 
> Our Community Mourns One of our Own
>  
>  Blair Pittman passed away this morning. Blair was a famous and infamous 
> photographer from Houston paper in the old days, came out to Big Bend 
> regularly and ultimately settled out here. He was married to Jeanne 
> Northsworthy in the 80s and was around Lajitas and involved with us all 
> during the Mischer days and with the local old-timers..like Ross Maxwell. 
>  
> He and Jean Hardy-Pittman fell in love and have been married for quite a 
> while now and we have enjoyed them both often in the Ghostown. She has been 
> his angel and he knew it. He shot (photographed) our Big Bend so wonderfully 
> and he loved it deeply. May he RIP….and we will miss him a lot. I loved him.
> Memorial service to be decided later.
>  
> ___
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> http://www.mail-archive.com/texascavers@texascavers.com/
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Re: [Texascavers] Blair Pittman

[via Texascavers]

I have that book as well, Fritz, plus his Texas Caves book.

A very entertaining read and I imagine sitting on the porch out there every 
time I read it.

Beautiful photographs in his Caves book.

My kids and I stopped by the ghost town to see him a few years back. We just 
missed him, as he had been airlifted to SA or Houston for a stroke or cardiac 
issue he had just experienced.

His residence/cats/and the ghost town was just a unique as he was.

A terrible loss.


Mark Alman
texascav...@yahoo.com



From: Texascavers [mailto:texascavers-boun...@texascavers.com] On Behalf Of 
Fritz Holt via Texascavers
Sent: Wednesday, October 12, 2016 9:58 AM
To: Jenny Holt
Cc: Jacquetta Breedlove; June Levy; Mandy Holt; texascavers@texascavers.com
Subject: Re: [Texascavers] Blair Pittman

I found Blair Pittman's 50 page  booklet titled "Tales From The Terlingua 
Porch". He wrote inside, "To Fritz - If It Ain't The Truth - It Outta Be - 
April 9, 08  -Enjoy-
Viva Terlingua !!!
Blair Pittman
(Ver Batim) Your nostalgic dad.

Sent from my iPhone

On Oct 11, 2016, at 9:27 AM, Fritz Holt 
<fritz...@gmail.com<mailto:fritz...@gmail.com>> wrote:
Not sure but I think we met him before his accident. I will look for his signed 
book which is probably dated and will let you know. Dad

Sent from my iPhone

On Oct 10, 2016, at 11:33 PM, Jenny Holt 
<jhol...@hotmail.com<mailto:jhol...@hotmail.com>> wrote:
Dad,
I also sent this to you, in case you hadn't seen it. We met him at a rock shop 
just out of Study Butte heading towards BBNP - was that before his motorcycle 
accident or afterwards?  I remember he was driven up by a driver who also had 
tourists who got out to visit the rock shop & he sat out on the porch with us & 
gabbed. He was great & quite interesting.

Sent from my iPhone

On Oct 10, 2016, at 11:08 PM, Fritz Holt 
<fritz...@gmail.com<mailto:fritz...@gmail.com>> wrote:
We met him at a shop in Terlingua or nearby and he autographed his book that we 
purchased, From The Back Porch, probably on our group trip in 2008? He was a 
writer, photographer and well known and liked by cavers and lovers of the Big 
Bend area. Fritz

Sent from my iPhone

Begin forwarded message:
From: via Texascavers 
<texascavers@texascavers.com<mailto:texascavers@texascavers.com>>
Date: October 10, 2016 at 9:41:47 PM CDT
To: Cave NM <swrcav...@googlegroups.com<mailto:swrcav...@googlegroups.com>>, 
Cave Texas <Texascavers@texascavers.com<mailto:Texascavers@texascavers.com>>
Subject: [Texascavers] Blair Pittman
Reply-To: texascavers@texascavers.com<mailto:texascavers@texascavers.com>
Another unique individual is gone -  Exploring and photographing caves was only 
only one of the remarkable and exceptional  aspects of Blair Pittman.

DirtDoc


From: "Terlingua Moon" <terlinguam...@gmail.com<mailto:terlinguam...@gmail.com>>
10/10/2016

Our Community Mourns One of our Own

 Blair Pittman passed away this morning. Blair was a famous and infamous 
photographer from Houston paper in the old days, came out to Big Bend regularly 
and ultimately settled out here. He was married to Jeanne Northsworthy in the 
80s and was around Lajitas and involved with us all during the Mischer days and 
with the local old-timers..like Ross Maxwell.

He and Jean Hardy-Pittman fell in love and have been married for quite a while 
now and we have enjoyed them both often in the Ghostown. She has been his angel 
and he knew it. He shot (photographed) our Big Bend so wonderfully and he loved 
it deeply. May he RIP….and we will miss him a lot. I loved him.
Memorial service to be decided later.

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Re: [Texascavers] Blair Pittman

[Fritz Holt via Texascavers]

I found Blair Pittman's 50 page  booklet titled "Tales From The Terlingua 
Porch". He wrote inside, "To Fritz - If It Ain't The Truth - It Outta Be - 
April 9, 08  -Enjoy-
Viva Terlingua !!!
Blair Pittman
(Ver Batim) Your nostalgic dad. 

Sent from my iPhone

> On Oct 11, 2016, at 9:27 AM, Fritz Holt <fritz...@gmail.com> wrote:
> 
> Not sure but I think we met him before his accident. I will look for his 
> signed book which is probably dated and will let you know. Dad
> 
> Sent from my iPhone
> 
>> On Oct 10, 2016, at 11:33 PM, Jenny Holt <jhol...@hotmail.com> wrote:
>> 
>> Dad,
>> I also sent this to you, in case you hadn't seen it. We met him at a rock 
>> shop just out of Study Butte heading towards BBNP - was that before his 
>> motorcycle accident or afterwards?  I remember he was driven up by a driver 
>> who also had tourists who got out to visit the rock shop & he sat out on the 
>> porch with us & gabbed. He was great & quite interesting. 
>> 
>> Sent from my iPhone
>> 
>> On Oct 10, 2016, at 11:08 PM, Fritz Holt <fritz...@gmail.com> wrote:
>> 
>>> We met him at a shop in Terlingua or nearby and he autographed his book 
>>> that we purchased, From The Back Porch, probably on our group trip in 2008? 
>>> He was a writer, photographer and well known and liked by cavers and lovers 
>>> of the Big Bend area. Fritz
>>> 
>>> Sent from my iPhone
>>> 
>>> Begin forwarded message:
>>> 
>>>> From: via Texascavers <texascavers@texascavers.com>
>>>> Date: October 10, 2016 at 9:41:47 PM CDT
>>>> To: Cave NM <swrcav...@googlegroups.com>, Cave Texas 
>>>> <Texascavers@texascavers.com>
>>>> Subject: [Texascavers] Blair Pittman
>>>> Reply-To: texascavers@texascavers.com
>>>> Another unique individual is gone -  Exploring and photographing caves was 
>>>> only only one of the remarkable and exceptional  aspects of Blair Pittman.
>>>> 
>>>> DirtDoc
>>>> 
>>>> From: "Terlingua Moon" <terlinguam...@gmail.com>
>>>> 10/10/2016
>>>> 
>>>> Our Community Mourns One of our Own
>>>> 
>>>>  Blair Pittman passed away this morning. Blair was a famous and infamous 
>>>> photographer from Houston paper in the old days, came out to Big Bend 
>>>> regularly and ultimately settled out here. He was married to Jeanne 
>>>> Northsworthy in the 80s and was around Lajitas and involved with us all 
>>>> during the Mischer days and with the local old-timers..like Ross Maxwell. 
>>>> 
>>>> He and Jean Hardy-Pittman fell in love and have been married for quite a 
>>>> while now and we have enjoyed them both often in the Ghostown. She has 
>>>> been his angel and he knew it. He shot (photographed) our Big Bend so 
>>>> wonderfully and he loved it deeply. May he RIP….and we will miss him a 
>>>> lot. I loved him.
>>>> Memorial service to be decided later.
>>>> ___
>>>> Texascavers mailing list | http://texascavers.com
>>>> Texascavers@texascavers.com | Archives: 
>>>> http://www.mail-archive.com/texascavers@texascavers.com/
>>>> http://lists.texascavers.com/listinfo/texascavers
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[Texascavers] Blair Pittman

[David via Texascavers]

The next time you are in a Half-Price Books store, look for a book
that Blair helped write.   He took all the photos in the book.

http://www.fsbooks.com/shop/index.php?main_page=product_book_info_id=217

I bet that the book is readily available online.

David Locklear
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[Texascavers] Blair Pittman

[via Texascavers]

Another unique individual is gone - Exploring and photographing caves was only 
only one of the remarkable and exceptional aspects of Blair Pittman. 

DirtDoc 

- Original Message -

From: "Terlingua Moon"  
10/10/2016 

Our Community Mourns One of our Own 

Blair Pittman passed away this morning. Blair was a famous and infamous 
photographer from Houston paper in the old days, came out to Big Bend regularly 
and ultimately settled out here. He was married to Jeanne Northsworthy in the 
80s and was around Lajitas and involved with us all during the Mischer days and 
with the local old-timers..like Ross Maxwell. 

He and Jean Hardy-Pittman fell in love and have been married for quite a while 
now and we have enjoyed them both often in the Ghostown. She has been his angel 
and he knew it. He shot (photographed) our Big Bend so wonderfully and he loved 
it deeply. May he RIP….and we will miss him a lot. I loved him. 
Memorial service to be decided later. 

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[Texascavers] Blair Pittman Update

[via Texascavers]

Blair Pittman Update 5-21-2015 



We (Mary and Dwight Deal) visited Blair and Jean in Alpine, TX on our way north 
last week. Thanks to ALL of Blair's old friends who have expressed concern for 
his condition, and for your patience as the family sorts out this significant 
change of life. 



Recounting for those who may not know Blair well: Blair Pittman is a long-time 
Texas caver. A photographer, writer, newspaper man, and above all else, an 
entertaining story teller. He authored the coffee-table book The Caves of Texas 
as well as many other works. 



Now 78 years old, he was involved with the early exploration and development of 
Mayfield Cave (aka Caverns of Sonora) and has contributed to a lot more Texas 
caving lore since. For the past number of years he has been living as the 
caretaker at the old Waldron mercury mine in Terlingua, more recently known as 
the Villa de la Mina. Terlingua Sinkhole is next door. Cavers have always been 
welcome a his doorstep. 



Blair rolled his vehicle in March 2011. It took quite a while to get him to 
hospital in Odessa and he was seriously deprived of oxygen for a LONG time. He 
recovered but presents as a stroke victim (due to the lack of oxygen to his 
brain - he did not actually have stoke at the time of the accident). He is 
wheel-chair bound and on oxygen. Most frustratingly, multiple intubations 
physically damaged his vocal chords and his previously wonderful story-telling 
voice was reduced to a reedy, weak, almost whisper. It's hard to understand 
what he is saying. 



Blair did suffer a stroke in February 2015 and has slowly been recovering to 
his pre-stroke condition. 



He has good days and bad days, but when we visited last week his eyes sparkled 
as we swapped stories. Jean (his wife) Is still operating the exceptionally 
fine small bookstore in Alpine. They have both nursing day care and physical 
therapy help who come to the house to work with Blair. This provides needed 
relief to Jean, who has been expending enormous amounts of energy as Blair's 
caregiver. I have been worried for HER health. 



Jean has invited any of Blair's old friends who may be in the Big Bend to stop 
by. It is very healthy for Blair to see us. It also helps him recover lost or 
hazy memories from the past. Please contact Jean in advance so proper 
arrangements can be made, and to make sure that Blair's time is not otherwise 
scheduled. 



j...@fsbooks.com 

Jean Hardy-Pittman and Blair 

c/o Front Street Books 

121 East Holland Ave 

Alpine, TX 79830 

Alpine Store (Front Street Books) 432-837-3360 



If you have some old pictures or memorabilia to bring and leave with Blair, so 
much the better. Plan on a half-hour to an hour, depending on how Blair is 
feeling. If it's a bad day, it may be a fairly short one-sided conversation 
with you talking to Blair. Even that is valuable and IS very good for him. 



I have told Jean that I will help find appropriate places for any of his old 
cave-related possessions when she decides to sort through them and dispose of 
unneeded items. I saw some old Texas Cavers and assorted cave photographs. I 
will let the proper folks know. 



Feel free to contact me (Dwight Deal) off line. dirt...@comcast.net, 
303-632-9254 (Denver), or 432-371-3369 (Terlingua). We just got back to Denver 
and expect to be here into the fall, with excursions to the NSS convention in 
Missouri and later to the northeast. 



Dwight 
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Re: [Texascavers] Blair Pittman news

[Gill Edigar via Texascavers]

Well, I think that's good news.
--Ediger

On Tue, Apr 14, 2015 at 12:15 PM, dirt...@comcast.net wrote:

 Blair Pittman news

 Long-time Texas Caver



 From the Terlingua Moon: 4/14/2015



 Blair Pittman, who recently suffered a stroke, “is doing pretty darn
 well,” according to his wife, Jean Hardy-Pittman.
 The former long-time resident of Terlingua, who now lives in Alpine, and
 author of the popular “Tales From the Terlingua Porch” books will be in
 intensive rehab therapies in El Paso for some time, she said.


 But “he is very lucky,” Jean added.


 “His stroke was a hemorrhage, not a clot (embolism), and though it was a
 large bleed area,” she said last week, “it did not get into the ventricles
 which would have potentially caused much more damage.”


 And she was optimistic: “He might come out of this stronger than before.”



 Written by Carl Leatherwood.

 Thank you, Carl.



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Re: [Texascavers] Blair Pittman news

[Karen Perry via Texascavers]

Where is Blair in El  Paso  can he have visitors?Karen

  From: Gill Edigar via Texascavers texascavers@texascavers.com
 To: Deal, Dwight dirt...@comcast.net 
Cc: Cave NM s...@caver.net; Cave Texas Texascavers@texascavers.com; TAG Net 
tag-...@hiddenworld.net 
 Sent: Wednesday, April 15, 2015 8:37 AM
 Subject: Re: [Texascavers] Blair Pittman news
   
Well, I think that's good news. --Ediger


On Tue, Apr 14, 2015 at 12:15 PM, dirt...@comcast.net wrote:

Blair Pittman newsLong-time Texas Caver
 From the Terlingua Moon: 4/14/2015 Blair Pittman, who recently suffered a 
stroke, “is doing pretty darn well,” according to his wife, Jean Hardy-Pittman.
 The former long-time resident of Terlingua, who now lives in Alpine, and 
author of the popular “Tales From the Terlingua Porch” books will be in 
intensive rehab therapies in El Paso for some time, she said.
 But “he is very lucky,” Jean added.
 “His stroke was a hemorrhage, not a clot (embolism), and though it was a large 
bleed area,” she said last week, “it did not get into the ventricles which 
would have potentially caused much more damage.”
 And she was optimistic: “He might come out of this stronger than before.”  
Written by Carl Leatherwood.Thank you, Carl. 


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Re: [Texascavers] Blair Pittman news

[Logan McNatt via Texascavers]

Thanks for passing along the good news, Dwight.
  Logan McNatt
  lmcn...@austin.rr.com

On 4/14/2015 1:15 PM, dirt...@comcast.net wrote:

Blair Pittman news

Long-time Texas Caver

 From the Terlingua Moon: 4/14/2015

Blair Pittman, who recently suffered a stroke, “is doing pretty darn
well,” according to his wife, Jean Hardy-Pittman.
The former long-time resident of Terlingua, who now lives in Alpine, and
author of the popular “Tales From the Terlingua Porch” books will be in
intensive rehab therapies in El Paso for some time, she said.


But “he is very lucky,” Jean added.


“His stroke was a hemorrhage, not a clot (embolism), and though it was a
large bleed area,” she said last week, “it did not get into the
ventricles which would have potentially caused much more damage.”


And she was optimistic: “He might come out of this stronger than before.”

Written by Carl Leatherwood.

Thank you, Carl.


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[Texascavers] Blair Pittman news

[via Texascavers]

Blair Pittman news 

Long-time Texas Caver 




From the Terlingua Moon: 4/14/2015 



Blair Pittman, who recently suffered a stroke, “is doing pretty darn well,” 
according to his wife, Jean Hardy-Pittman. 
The former long-time resident of Terlingua, who now lives in Alpine, and author 
of the popular “Tales From the Terlingua Porch” books will be in intensive 
rehab therapies in El Paso for some time, she said. 


But “he is very lucky,” Jean added. 


“ His stroke was a hemorrhage, not a clot (embolism), and though it was a large 
bleed area,” she said last week, “it did not get into the ventricles which 
would have potentially caused much more damage.” 


And she was optimistic: “He might come out of this stronger than before.” 



Written by Carl Leatherwood. 

Thank you, Carl. 


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Re: [Texascavers] Blair Pittman news

[mark gee via Texascavers]

Met the  man at his home  in Terlingua and took him a copy of his story in a 
1974 National Goegraphic. about east texas plants and things. Was and is still 
is a very interesting man to spend some time with. He showed me the Terlingua 
Sink hOLE and took me and my x wife into the mine near his home. Met a friend 
of his from Houston who was also a writer. Cant remember his name.  


 On Tuesday, April 14, 2015 1:22 PM, Logan McNatt via Texascavers 
texascavers@texascavers.com wrote:
   

 Thanks for passing along the good news, Dwight.
  Logan McNatt
  lmcn...@austin.rr.com

On 4/14/2015 1:15 PM, dirt...@comcast.net wrote:
 Blair Pittman news

 Long-time Texas Caver

  From the Terlingua Moon: 4/14/2015

 Blair Pittman, who recently suffered a stroke, “is doing pretty darn
 well,” according to his wife, Jean Hardy-Pittman.
 The former long-time resident of Terlingua, who now lives in Alpine, and
 author of the popular “Tales From the Terlingua Porch” books will be in
 intensive rehab therapies in El Paso for some time, she said.


 But “he is very lucky,” Jean added.


 “His stroke was a hemorrhage, not a clot (embolism), and though it was a
 large bleed area,” she said last week, “it did not get into the
 ventricles which would have potentially caused much more damage.”


 And she was optimistic: “He might come out of this stronger than before.”

 Written by Carl Leatherwood.

 Thank you, Carl.

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Re: [Texascavers] Blair Pittman news

[Karen Perry via Texascavers]

Where in El Paso is Blair being treated and how long will he be there?Karen

  From: mark gee via Texascavers texascavers@texascavers.com
 To: texascavers@texascavers.com texascavers@texascavers.com; 
dirt...@comcast.net dirt...@comcast.net 
Cc: Cave NM s...@caver.net; TAG Net tag-...@hiddenworld.net 
 Sent: Tuesday, April 14, 2015 7:44 PM
 Subject: Re: [Texascavers] Blair Pittman news
   
Met the  man at his home  in Terlingua and took him a copy of his story in a 
1974 National Goegraphic. about east texas plants and things. Was and is still 
is a very interesting man to spend some time with. He showed me the Terlingua 
Sink hOLE and took me and my x wife into the mine near his home. Met a friend 
of his from Houston who was also a writer. Cant remember his name.  


 On Tuesday, April 14, 2015 1:22 PM, Logan McNatt via Texascavers 
texascavers@texascavers.com wrote:
   

 Thanks for passing along the good news, Dwight.
  Logan McNatt
  lmcn...@austin.rr.com

On 4/14/2015 1:15 PM, dirt...@comcast.net wrote:
 Blair Pittman news

 Long-time Texas Caver

  From the Terlingua Moon: 4/14/2015

 Blair Pittman, who recently suffered a stroke, “is doing pretty darn
 well,” according to his wife, Jean Hardy-Pittman.
 The former long-time resident of Terlingua, who now lives in Alpine, and
 author of the popular “Tales From the Terlingua Porch” books will be in
 intensive rehab therapies in El Paso for some time, she said.


 But “he is very lucky,” Jean added.


 “His stroke was a hemorrhage, not a clot (embolism), and though it was a
 large bleed area,” she said last week, “it did not get into the
 ventricles which would have potentially caused much more damage.”


 And she was optimistic: “He might come out of this stronger than before.”

 Written by Carl Leatherwood.

 Thank you, Carl.

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[Texascavers] Blair Pittman Update

[dirtdoc]

We are IN Terlingua, dealing with the things that became broken, loosened, or 
not quite functional in our absence. (What do we have to fix THIS time!!). 

  

We have yet to see Blair and Jean, but expect to, soon.   They seem to be well 
established in their new old house on the Creek in Alpine, not far from the 
bookstore. 

  

The second-hand reports I get are mixed.   From: 

  

Blair is doing good. 

  

Blair looks very frail. 

  

It may take a while before he figures out who you are. 

  

Blair still cannot read or write. 

  

(That is obviously not correct, as he does correspond with short E-mail 
messages.   See Below.) 

  

BUT, he sure tells stories well!!! 

  

(THAT, fortunately, has not change!) 

  

So we will see.   

  

We just missed his birthday party at the Villa.   

  

Blair's sister Sue, his lifetime friend Ced Snyder, Sean McPherson and Greg 
Smith brought Blair and Jean back down to the Villa next to Terlingua Sink to 
celebrate his 76th birthday. 

  

His photographer friend from old Houston days, Clayton McKee, came and has 
posted photos to look through. 

  

http://rcmckee.com/Galleries/index.php/Blair 

  

I see locals Terry Anderson, Ring Huggins, Cynta de Navaez, Clyde Replogle and 
others in the images. 

  

Blair has a new email address 

  

pittmanbl...@yahoo.com 

  

He corresponds and   I am sure he would be glad to hear from old friends. 

  

Dirt Doc 

[Texascavers] Blair Pittman Update

[dirtdoc]

We are IN Terlingua, dealing with the things that became broken, loosened, or 
not quite functional in our absence. (What do we have to fix THIS time!!). 

  

We have yet to see Blair and Jean, but expect to, soon.   They seem to be well 
established in their new old house on the Creek in Alpine, not far from the 
bookstore. 

  

The second-hand reports I get are mixed.   From: 

  

Blair is doing good. 

  

Blair looks very frail. 

  

It may take a while before he figures out who you are. 

  

Blair still cannot read or write. 

  

(That is obviously not correct, as he does correspond with short E-mail 
messages.   See Below.) 

  

BUT, he sure tells stories well!!! 

  

(THAT, fortunately, has not change!) 

  

So we will see.   

  

We just missed his birthday party at the Villa.   

  

Blair's sister Sue, his lifetime friend Ced Snyder, Sean McPherson and Greg 
Smith brought Blair and Jean back down to the Villa next to Terlingua Sink to 
celebrate his 76th birthday. 

  

His photographer friend from old Houston days, Clayton McKee, came and has 
posted photos to look through. 

  

http://rcmckee.com/Galleries/index.php/Blair 

  

I see locals Terry Anderson, Ring Huggins, Cynta de Navaez, Clyde Replogle and 
others in the images. 

  

Blair has a new email address 

  

pittmanbl...@yahoo.com 

  

He corresponds and   I am sure he would be glad to hear from old friends. 

  

Dirt Doc 

[Texascavers] Blair Pittman Update

[dirtdoc]

We are IN Terlingua, dealing with the things that became broken, loosened, or 
not quite functional in our absence. (What do we have to fix THIS time!!). 

  

We have yet to see Blair and Jean, but expect to, soon.   They seem to be well 
established in their new old house on the Creek in Alpine, not far from the 
bookstore. 

  

The second-hand reports I get are mixed.   From: 

  

Blair is doing good. 

  

Blair looks very frail. 

  

It may take a while before he figures out who you are. 

  

Blair still cannot read or write. 

  

(That is obviously not correct, as he does correspond with short E-mail 
messages.   See Below.) 

  

BUT, he sure tells stories well!!! 

  

(THAT, fortunately, has not change!) 

  

So we will see.   

  

We just missed his birthday party at the Villa.   

  

Blair's sister Sue, his lifetime friend Ced Snyder, Sean McPherson and Greg 
Smith brought Blair and Jean back down to the Villa next to Terlingua Sink to 
celebrate his 76th birthday. 

  

His photographer friend from old Houston days, Clayton McKee, came and has 
posted photos to look through. 

  

http://rcmckee.com/Galleries/index.php/Blair 

  

I see locals Terry Anderson, Ring Huggins, Cynta de Navaez, Clyde Replogle and 
others in the images. 

  

Blair has a new email address 

  

pittmanbl...@yahoo.com 

  

He corresponds and   I am sure he would be glad to hear from old friends. 

  

Dirt Doc 

[Texascavers] Blair Pittman Makes a Cameo on The Field Lab!

[Joe Ranzau]

See his picture at the link below!  No, he is not the Hooters girl...

http://thefieldlab.blogspot.com/2011/09/two-days-worth.html

[Texascavers] Blair Pittman Makes a Cameo on The Field Lab!

[Joe Ranzau]

See his picture at the link below!  No, he is not the Hooters girl...

http://thefieldlab.blogspot.com/2011/09/two-days-worth.html

[Texascavers] Blair Pittman Makes a Cameo on The Field Lab!

[Joe Ranzau]

See his picture at the link below!  No, he is not the Hooters girl...

http://thefieldlab.blogspot.com/2011/09/two-days-worth.html

[Texascavers] Blair Pittman update 7/1/2011

[dirtdoc]

Blair update 7/1/2011 



  

We are back in Denver, but we visited Blair and Jean in Marathon on the way 
north from Terlingua.   Blair displays the symptoms that you would associate 
with a severe stroke.   As he bounced around inside his truck during the 
accident, his brain rattled around inside his skull. Random internal injuries 
were done to his brain.   In addition, internal bleeding compounded the 
insults. 



  

His awareness and memories come and go, sometimes quite quickly.    He will 
seem disconnected one moment, and then he will be quite aware the next.   He 
has lost weight and looks pretty good. 



  

He is on oxygen and uses a wheel chair and a walker for assistance, as his 
balance will unexpectedly fail him.     His C-2 is badly shattered (not just 
fractured) and will probably never completely heal. There remains real concern 
of an additional injury if he falls. 



  

Blair's progress is slow, but he steadily improves. Jean has acquired good 
skilled support and reports that he has successfully shaved himself since we 
saw him and continues to take better control of his actions.   Additionally, 
his memories are gradually returning.   Visits from old friends assist him in 
doing that, so I urge anyone in the vicinity to stop and spend a few hours with 
him.   Bring some old photos or other memorabilia to leave with him. 



  

Contact Jean in advance - 



  

Jean Hardy-Pittman: j...@fsbooks.com 

You can call her through the store in Alpine: 

Alpine Store (Front Street Books) 432-837-3360 



  

Dwight 

[Texascavers] Blair Pittman update 7/1/2011

[dirtdoc]

Blair update 7/1/2011 



  

We are back in Denver, but we visited Blair and Jean in Marathon on the way 
north from Terlingua.   Blair displays the symptoms that you would associate 
with a severe stroke.   As he bounced around inside his truck during the 
accident, his brain rattled around inside his skull. Random internal injuries 
were done to his brain.   In addition, internal bleeding compounded the 
insults. 



  

His awareness and memories come and go, sometimes quite quickly.    He will 
seem disconnected one moment, and then he will be quite aware the next.   He 
has lost weight and looks pretty good. 



  

He is on oxygen and uses a wheel chair and a walker for assistance, as his 
balance will unexpectedly fail him.     His C-2 is badly shattered (not just 
fractured) and will probably never completely heal. There remains real concern 
of an additional injury if he falls. 



  

Blair's progress is slow, but he steadily improves. Jean has acquired good 
skilled support and reports that he has successfully shaved himself since we 
saw him and continues to take better control of his actions.   Additionally, 
his memories are gradually returning.   Visits from old friends assist him in 
doing that, so I urge anyone in the vicinity to stop and spend a few hours with 
him.   Bring some old photos or other memorabilia to leave with him. 



  

Contact Jean in advance - 



  

Jean Hardy-Pittman: j...@fsbooks.com 

You can call her through the store in Alpine: 

Alpine Store (Front Street Books) 432-837-3360 



  

Dwight 

[Texascavers] Blair Pittman Update

[dirtdoc]

Blair Pittman Update 



  

Mary and I visited Jean and Blair in Marathon on our way back to Denver.   He 
is now there in her house and Jean is getting some good skilled nursing and PT 
support. 



  

The get well photo arranged at Brackettville was greatly appreciated.   Many 
thanks to all who participated in that, especially Logan and Carl. 



  

Blair has a long, complicated, road to recovery ahead of him, but he and Jean 
seem in good spirits and are tackling the process head-on. 



  

He presents as a stroke victim, with his own Blair-specific modifications.   He 
bounced around in the roll-over and his brain really rattled around inside his 
skull resulting in random internal damage.   In addition to a shattered C2 
(external blow), there was basal bleeding associated with that trauma. He is in 
a wheel chair, on oxygen and has to monitor his oxygen blood level, has 
significant balance problems (which are slowly but steadily improving), and his 
memory and cognitive abilities vacillate from good to poor (those are also 
steadily improving). 



  

Friends from Terlingua and the rest of the world have been visiting and giving 
encouragement.   Jean is clearly thoroughly in love with Blair and working 
extremely hard to provide him the needed support.   In turn, Jean needs our 
support.   Her task is difficult and will not soon end. 



  

Jean Hardy-Pittman  j...@fsbooks.com  



  

US Mail: 

Jean Hardy-Pittman 

c/o Front Street Books 

121 East Holland   Ave 

Alpine, TX   79830 



  

Alpine Store (Front Street Books) 432-837-3360 



  

If you are in the area and can spend a couple of hours with him, please do so.  
 Contact Jean in advance. 



  

Dwight 

[Texascavers] Blair Pittman Update

[dirtdoc]

Blair Pittman Update 



  

Mary and I visited Jean and Blair in Marathon on our way back to Denver.   He 
is now there in her house and Jean is getting some good skilled nursing and PT 
support. 



  

The get well photo arranged at Brackettville was greatly appreciated.   Many 
thanks to all who participated in that, especially Logan and Carl. 



  

Blair has a long, complicated, road to recovery ahead of him, but he and Jean 
seem in good spirits and are tackling the process head-on. 



  

He presents as a stroke victim, with his own Blair-specific modifications.   He 
bounced around in the roll-over and his brain really rattled around inside his 
skull resulting in random internal damage.   In addition to a shattered C2 
(external blow), there was basal bleeding associated with that trauma. He is in 
a wheel chair, on oxygen and has to monitor his oxygen blood level, has 
significant balance problems (which are slowly but steadily improving), and his 
memory and cognitive abilities vacillate from good to poor (those are also 
steadily improving). 



  

Friends from Terlingua and the rest of the world have been visiting and giving 
encouragement.   Jean is clearly thoroughly in love with Blair and working 
extremely hard to provide him the needed support.   In turn, Jean needs our 
support.   Her task is difficult and will not soon end. 



  

Jean Hardy-Pittman  j...@fsbooks.com  



  

US Mail: 

Jean Hardy-Pittman 

c/o Front Street Books 

121 East Holland   Ave 

Alpine, TX   79830 



  

Alpine Store (Front Street Books) 432-837-3360 



  

If you are in the area and can spend a couple of hours with him, please do so.  
 Contact Jean in advance. 



  

Dwight 

[Texascavers] Blair Pittman Update

[dirtdoc]

Blair Pittman Update 



  

Mary and I visited Jean and Blair in Marathon on our way back to Denver.   He 
is now there in her house and Jean is getting some good skilled nursing and PT 
support. 



  

The get well photo arranged at Brackettville was greatly appreciated.   Many 
thanks to all who participated in that, especially Logan and Carl. 



  

Blair has a long, complicated, road to recovery ahead of him, but he and Jean 
seem in good spirits and are tackling the process head-on. 



  

He presents as a stroke victim, with his own Blair-specific modifications.   He 
bounced around in the roll-over and his brain really rattled around inside his 
skull resulting in random internal damage.   In addition to a shattered C2 
(external blow), there was basal bleeding associated with that trauma. He is in 
a wheel chair, on oxygen and has to monitor his oxygen blood level, has 
significant balance problems (which are slowly but steadily improving), and his 
memory and cognitive abilities vacillate from good to poor (those are also 
steadily improving). 



  

Friends from Terlingua and the rest of the world have been visiting and giving 
encouragement.   Jean is clearly thoroughly in love with Blair and working 
extremely hard to provide him the needed support.   In turn, Jean needs our 
support.   Her task is difficult and will not soon end. 



  

Jean Hardy-Pittman  j...@fsbooks.com  



  

US Mail: 

Jean Hardy-Pittman 

c/o Front Street Books 

121 East Holland   Ave 

Alpine, TX   79830 



  

Alpine Store (Front Street Books) 432-837-3360 



  

If you are in the area and can spend a couple of hours with him, please do so.  
 Contact Jean in advance. 



  

Dwight 

[Texascavers] Blair Pittman Update 3-18-2011

[dirtdoc]

Blair Pittman Update 3-18-2011 

  Blair can now breathe on his own and drink water and juice. And he can   talk 
with a slightly damaged voice. He will be assessed by a physical therapist 
soon,   to decide what level of activity he can handle. When they judge him 
ready, they will move him to a unit called L-TAC, where they will work   with 
him carefully--it is not the same intensity of care as the ICU. 
  
  He is wanting to get up and walk, but he can't yet. He does not remember   
anything   about the accident. 

He does remember everything that has been said to him in the ICU while he was 
unable to talk. 





DirtDoc 

[Texascavers] Blair Pittman Update 3-18-2011

[dirtdoc]

Blair Pittman Update 3-18-2011 

  Blair can now breathe on his own and drink water and juice. And he can   talk 
with a slightly damaged voice. He will be assessed by a physical therapist 
soon,   to decide what level of activity he can handle. When they judge him 
ready, they will move him to a unit called L-TAC, where they will work   with 
him carefully--it is not the same intensity of care as the ICU. 
  
  He is wanting to get up and walk, but he can't yet. He does not remember   
anything   about the accident. 

He does remember everything that has been said to him in the ICU while he was 
unable to talk. 





DirtDoc 

[Texascavers] Blair Pittman Update Tue AM

[dirtdoc]

I had the following e-mail from Jean this morning: 



Dwight 



 
 
I am in Alpine trying to get essential bills paid and to stock up on portable 
work, computer, and fresh clothes. Will be headed back (to the Odessa hospital) 
this afternoon. 
They removed Blair's mouth tubes last night but his larynx is bruised and he 
couldn't breathe well enough, so they put it back.

[Texascavers] Blair Pittman Update

[dirtdoc]

You may send cards to: 



  

Dean B. Pittman, ICU Patient 

Medical Center Hospital 
500 W. 4th St. 
Odessa, TX  79761 





  

There is a confusingly-named set of hospitals in Odessa-Midland area, this is 
NOT the Odessa Regional Medical Center !   Additionally, there is M.D. named 
Pittman on the staff in the regular part of the same hospital.  





  

They are still keeping him heavily sedated today to avoid further injury, so he 
is not awake most of the time.   No serious damage to spine, despite a 
fractured neck vertebra.   Send a card and when he becomes alert again, it will 
be there to greet him. 



  

DirtDoc 

RE: [Texascavers] Blair Pittman

[Fritz Holt]

Thanks, Dwight. Blair is a Texas icon and we all wish him a speedy recovery so 
he can once again be on The Back Porch. My daughters and I visited with Blair 
the last time we were in the Big Bend area in April. 2008. He is a most 
interesting character.

Fritz


From: dirt...@comcast.net [mailto:dirt...@comcast.net]
Sent: Sunday, March 13, 2011 10:53 AM
To: Cave NM; Cave Texas
Subject: [Texascavers] Blair Pittman

Blair rolled his vehicle Wednesday night and is currently in the hospital in 
Odessa.  Jean is with him and he is out of ICU.  Although he has a cracked C2, 
there appears to be no spinal cord damage and no other significant injuries. He 
has been under heavy sedation and although still not speaking, he is otherwise 
responding well.

He was headed home and about to turn into his driveway to the Villa de la 
Mina west of Terlingua.  It was approximately 10 PM.  There is broken glass and 
a dead deer shortly before the turnoff, a likely reason he lost control.

I'll post additional information later, but you may contact me or Ring Huggins 
off-line.

DirtDoc

[Texascavers] Blair Pittman

[dirtdoc]

Blair rolled his vehicle Wednesday night and is currently in the hospital in 
Odessa.   Jean is with him and he is out of ICU.   Although he has a cracked 
C2, there appears to be no spinal cord damage and no other significant 
injuries. He has been under heavy sedation and although still not speaking, he 
is otherwise responding well. 





  

He was headed home and about to turn into his driveway to the Villa de la 
Mina west of Terlingua.   It was approximately 10 PM.   There is broken glass 
and a dead deer shortly before the turnoff, a likely reason he lost control. 





  

I'll post additional information later, but you may contact me or Ring Huggins 
off-line. 





  

DirtDoc 

[Texascavers] Blair Pittman Sighting - Video on WFAA in Dallas

[Mark . Alman]

 
 
Watching the news Sunday night, I saw Blair Pittman and the local and legal 
concerns about expanding drug cartel activity into previously untouched areas, 
like Terlingua and Big Bend NP.
 
Glad to see Blair is doing well. We missed seeing him a couple of years ago 
during spring break, due to some cardiac problems.
 
 
See Blair and more on this exaggerated and overblown problem, according to 
some here at:
 
 
http://www.wfaa.com/news/texas-news/Border-crime-is-growing-in-the-states-biggest-county-93898364.html
 
 
Mark

[Texascavers] Blair Pittman

[Johnson, Russ (ATX)]

Can anyone put me in touch with Blair Pittman?
 
Russ