The Robert E. Pitts Endowment for Appalachia Fund The family of our former Deputy Director of COAD, the late Robert E. "Bubba" Pitts, has set-up an endowment fund in his name.
If you would like to donate to the fund, please send a check or money order to Robert E. Pitts Endowment for Appalachia Fund c/o COAD P.O. Box 787 Athens, Ohio 45701 or click on the link below to use a credit card, bank transfer or e-check.
Donations to this fund are tax deductible, COAD is a 501(C)(3) tax exempt organization.

A Tribute to Bob "Bubba" Pitts

For 30 of COAD's 35-year year history, Bob Pitts, known as "Bubba" to his many friends and co-workers, was the heart and soul of the organization. Hired initially to operate the agency's energy office, he became the author and architect of many energy conservation programs statewide and helped draft the state's first weatherization standards. Known to many as a tireless advocate for the poor, Bob never hesitated to speak out about what made sense when it came to fair and equitable distribution of resources to low-income families who resided in the Appalachian foothills he so loved and cherished.

A native of Pike County, he learned the value of community action through his work at the Community Action Committee of Pike County and the Jefferson County Community Action Council.

Through his leadership, COAD leveraged and invested over $188 million in energy conservation programs that weatherized over 72,000 low-income homes throughout Appalachia Ohio. In 1987 Bob helped design the WarmChoice Program with Columbia Gas of Ohio and in 1990 he was instrumental in getting COAD approved as the official Ohio Weatherization Training Center. Today it is regarded has one of the premier Weatherization Training Centers in the United States and draws students from states throughout the country. He created the first Targeted Energy Efficiency (TEE) Program in cooperation with American Electric Power and helped shape Ohio's Universal Service Fund/Electric Partnership Program when electric deregulation was adopted by the Ohio General Assembly. As COAD's Deputy Director, he expanded his responsibilities and influenced a variety of services and activities that impacted the entire organization. He relished his involvement with the David Stivison Appalachian Scholarship Fund and thoroughly enjoyed organizing its major fundraising event each year, the Tony Mele Croquet and Golf Tournament.

He was a huge part of COAD's success and he leaves a monumental legacy.

An avid golfer and rabid fan of the Cleveland Browns and the Ohio State Buckeyes, a lover of jazz and rock music, always searching for the best pit barbeque and hot sauce, a free spirit whose cutting humor and sarcasm was the stuff of legends, his legion of friends were fierce and loyal to him.

He was loved and admired, respected and revered. Bob is survived by his beloved wife of 38 years, Susan, son Keith and daughter-in-law Amy, and his cherished grandson Christopher.

He will be greatly missed by all who knew him.

God bless our friend and co-worker.

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• A great person - GH Runevitch - 10/08/2006 09:59
  

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