A great Democrat has left us.
Last edited Wed Feb 10, 2016, 12:24 AM - Edit history (1)
He was awarded the Bronze Star during his service in Vietnam on a mission that saved scores of civilian lives. He dedicated the rest of his life to government service in both DC and the State of Alabama, worked with Don Siegleman and defended him at trial, served for several years as Chairman of the Alabama Democratic Party, and served as Vice Chairman before he passed. He was a US Attorney under Clinton for almost eight years. In one form or another, he was involved in every Democratic presidential campaign since Bobby Kennedy's. His favorite politician was FDR, but he worshiped the ground upon which Jack and Bobby Kennedy walked. His knowledge of politics and history was encyclopedic, and he imparted as much of that to me as my feeble mental RAM could encompass.
His name was Charles Redding Pitt. He would have been 72 next month, and he was my father. He died on Sunday from a sudden illness. I loved him very much.
= new reply since forum marked as read
Sounds like a great man. Condolences to you and family.
I am so sorry.
-- Mal
.
Peace..
He sounds like a remarkable person.
I lost my father at a very young age, sometimes it seems I barely knew him, yet I will never forget him. Hopefully the hurt will pass soon enough while leaving only your fond memories.
Losing a dad is hard
Peace to you and your family.
Wishing you strength for the tough days ahead.
in the hearts of many. I'm grateful to you for carrying on his message.
but they do matter.
One of the great Democrats amongst us regulars trying to survive down here deep in red hell. If we only had more like him.
From Wikipedia.....
Charles Redding Pitt (March 29, 1944 – February 7, 2016), known as Redding Pitt, was an American attorney and former chairman of the Alabama Democratic Party.[1]
Pitt was born in Decatur, Alabama. He attended the University of Alabama and graduated with a Bachelor of Arts degree in 1967. He was active in campaign for Robert F. Kennedy in the 1968 presidential election.
After graduating from college Pitt entered the officer corps of the United States Army, serving from 1969 to 1972 in Vietnam, where he attained the rank of captain and earned a Bronze Star. Later he served in the Office of the Chief of Staff for Intelligence in Washington, D.C.
Following his Army service, Pitt attended Boston College Law School and received his Juris Doctor in 1977, after which he returned to his home state and began his public career. Pitt served as Alabama's Assistant Attorney General from 1981 to 1991, and Chief Deputy Attorney General from 1991 to 1994. He also served as a legal advisor to several Alabama state government officials. From 1994 to 1998 he served as United States Attorney for the Middle District of Alabama.[2]
Later in his life, Pitt practiced law in Birmingham, Alabama. He was one of the attorneys of record for former Alabama Governor Don Siegelman during Siegelman's federal trial in the U.S. District Court for the Middle District of Alabama on charges of bribery, mail fraud, and obstruction of justice. He also continued to serve campaigns for Democratic candidates, including his Boston College classmate John Kerry in 2004. He served on the Democratic National Committee and was elected in 2003 to chair the Alabama Democratic Party.
Pitt was married to Jane LeCroy Brannan of Montgomery, Alabama. He had one son, William Rivers Pitt, by his previous wife, Jane H. Pitt. He was related to the 18th-century British Prime Minister William Pitt. He died on February 7, 2016 at the age of 71.[3]
Losing a parent is always hard. I'm so sorry...
So sorry for your loss.
and gratitude.
so sorry for your loss. our mortality doesn't really hit us until we lose a parent.
I like your dad's taste in politicians.
May you be comforted by your fond memories of him.
You were lucky to have such a wonderful man for a father. The world is a better place for his time spent here.
RIP Mr. Pitt.
Love is forever. Hold him close.
You must be so proud! I see that the apple did not fall to far from the tree. My father and best friend passed away in 2003. His memory is alive and well because I a constantly asking myself what my dad would do or think about what I am faced with or experiencing. I see him when I look in the mirror and strive to be as good a man as he was as he set the bar very high. I am sure that you too will experience this as the intense grief begins to fade. There will come a point when a reminder of him brings not tears of sadness, but a smile of joy. It will happen!
I am so sorry about your beloved father.
Grieve all you want...keep the love...
My wonderful Mom passed just a year ago...I miss her so very much.
I gave my hearts to people on this thread who didn't have one yet. I don't want to be presumptuous, but it seems like something he might approve of. My dad, also a Vietnam veteran, is his age. I cannot imagine your loss. 
to reason, and to love.
May he rest in peace.
I'm sorry to hear this, Will. That seems young to me.
RIP your father
and the strength to make it thru this very sad time.
This is the Cat Stevens' song that consoled me when my own daddy passed; the advice he gave to me as a young woman, eager to go out and fight the good fight and make my own revolution, was the same. And he and I used to sing and play it to together, so Cat's original version always held special meaning for me, but this one that Ronan Keating did with Yusuf is especially moving, too.
Hugs to you and yours, hold on tight to little Lola...
We all must go away
TYY
My thoughts are with you and your family
I know that pain all too well. Sending healing vibes and warm wishes your way.
Your Dad sounds like an amazing human being and you have so much to be proud of. I also lost my Dad and I know what a terrible hole that leaves. I'm sure that he was equally proud of you...
You will carry on for him.
And the loss to us all, such a good man. 
You and your family are in my thoughts.
Hang in there, brother.
Your family's loss, and our loss as well.
Peace to you all in your time of grief.
May he rest in peace.
An amazing man. We are all grieving with you, Will
your family. Your father was a wonderful man and a great Democrat that we, unfortunately, have too few of these days. Peace to you and yours.
...
you know I am so sorry William.....
go forth and make him proud
He was obviously an incredible man and great Democrat. You seem to be carrying on that tradition in your own way. Wishing you and your family strength and peace at this sad time.
As a son who has buried their father, I can appreciate the pain you are feeling. As someone who knew the impact your father had, I can only say this is a huge blow to, not only the Democratic Party, but to the ideals of service above self. We all have lost a shining light, and that is a huge void, but you lost your father, and there's nothing anyone can say to help fill the void that you have. My thoughts and prayers are with you. For what it's worth, my father told me before he passed, "Don't weep for me, I might not be beside you in presence, but I'll be in the next room over". I guess that was his Irish Catholic view on mortality, but I think about it every day, just like I think about him every day. If it's any consolation whatsoever, happy to share a shoulder to cry on...
My condolences to you and your family.
May your dad rest in peace.
May he rest in peace.
to carry on.
Thank you for letting me say I am sorry for your loss
This will carry your family through this time, and I hope, our love, too.
I'm sure your dad has his hand on your shoulder right now.
Rest in Power, Redding Pitt.
Your sense of loss must be immense Will. I'm so sorry. You have my best wishes for navigating all that
grief with a heart-felt grace that would make your father proud.
