A Tribute To Dr. Frank S Pittman III Friend And Mentor

I just found out yesterday that one of my favorite persons on the planet died in November 2012 with cancer. I joined Frank at Grady Hospital in Atlanta many years ago when he had begun as Chairman of the Psychiatry Department  there. His plan was to employ a Crisis Intervention Team to serve the area rather than open a new wing.It was a daunting task which he took on.It included convincing the Resident MDs of this novel interdisciplinary team functioning while all the team "learned" crisis intervention  skills with a family therapy focus. Psychiatry shared the Medical Emergency Room with the other disciplines. The patients often called this "Mother Grady" while the Residents usually called it "The Snake Pit." Needless to say it was a cauldron of unusual and serious situations. I was the first person he identified and hired as a Crisis Therapist.Psychiatric Social Workers and a Psychologist alon with another Attending Physucuan were hired as was another nurse. We evolved into two teams with each of us having an assigned Resident physician to work with as a co therapist during the experience at Grady.

He was an effective and fun administrator. We all struggled and learned.He set it up with supervision and support for each of the therapist twosomes. and the trams. He was actively there for us day or night(We covered the ER 24/7.,and the Outpatient as well as the Inpatient Services.Such varied experience could never happen many places. His good will and support led us all. In fact for many years after I left the team I sent him Mother's Day cards!

********Frank Pittman
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Frank Pittman, M.D.
Born     1935
United States
Died     November 24, 2012
Atlanta, Georgia
Residence     Atlanta, Georgia
Nationality     American
Fields     psychiatry, psychology, family therapy, psychotherapy, relationship education
Known for     Private Lies: Infidelity and Betrayal of Intimacy
Man Enough: Fathers, Sons and the Search for Masculinity

Notable Quotes"Marriage isn't supposed to make you happy - it's supposed to make you married."
        "Marriage, like a submarine, is only safe if you get all the way inside."
        "Bad marriages don't cause infidelity; infidelity causes bad marriages."
        "...in the end, there is nothing a man can do that a woman can’t, except be a father."
        "For most people, a life lived alone, with passing strangers or passing lovers, is incoherent and ultimately unbearable. Someone must be there to know what we have done for those we love."

In 2003, Dr. Pittman was recognized with the Smart Marriages Impact Award at the annual conference of the Coalition for Marriage, Family and Couples Education.[11]


         "To our leader, our compass, our chief, in gratitude for helping us understand what men and marriage are for - just how much each needs the other - and, just how much we need them both."[11]

Dr. Pittman died at his Atlanta home on November 24, 2012 of cancer.[12] He is survived by his wife of 52 years, Betsy Pittman, two daughters, Dr. Tina Wagers of Boulder, CO., and Dr. Virginia Pistilli of Portola, CA.; a son, Frank S. Pittman IV of Atlanta, GA; a sister, Joanna Fox of Cashiers, NC, and seven grandchildren.[12]

During his lifetime, he was a "widely quoted author"[1] of Man Enough: Fathers, Sons and the Search for Masculinity[2] and Private Lies: Infidelity and Betrayal of Intimacy.[3] He was also author of books Grow Up!: How Taking Responsibility Can Make You a Happy Adult,[4] and Turning Points: Treating Families in Transition and Crisis.[5]"

He also wrote a segment in Psychology Today called Ask Dr. Frank.

I loved him and admire him as a therapist,person,and family man. My heart goes out to Betsy and the children.