In Memoriam -- Charlie Blair

Post-Herald's colorful character

2008-06-01T11:12:00.003-05:00

http://www.al.com/news/birminghamnews/index.ssf?/base/news/1212308107231780.xml&coll=2

Sunday, June 01, 2008

JEREMY GRAY
News staff writer

Dressed in one of his many colorful outfits and often mumbling to himself as he pounded on his keyboard, Charlie Blair was a walking treasure trove of history.

From his desk in the Birmingham Post-Herald newsroom - a desk that was almost bare except for a variety of exotic spices and condiments - Blair often educated co-workers about movies, food, music and history.

Steve Bell, who worked with Blair for 18 years, said one of his favorite Charlie Blair outbursts came during O.J. Simpson's murder trial as Blair read a wire report describing the spectacle as "the trial of the century."

"Well, what about Nuremberg?" Blair exclaimed.

After his death at age 66 on April 15, his former co-workers launched a Web site, remembercharlie.blogspot.com, to share the many other Charlie Blair stories they accumulated during his almost 40 years at the paper.

The entries recall everything from his spot-on Hitler impersonations to his encyclopedic knowledge of long-closed Birmingham restaurants.

"Charlie knew more about a lot of things than anyone I've ever known," recalled Susan Robinson, who served as news editor when the newspaper closed in 2005.

In the days before the Internet, Blair was the go-to guy when someone had a question, Robinson said.

"If you needed to know something about Birmingham history, politics, world history; very often he would know the answer," Robinson said.

The Post-Herald's last editorial page editor, Karl Seitz, said he and Blair were both hired as copy editors at the Post-Herald in 1967. Blair joined the staff shortly after leaving the United States Air Force and remained on the copy desk until 2005, Seitz said.

At first, Blair's wardrobe did not stand out from others on the staff, said Seitz.

"Somewhere in the '70s his clothing got a little more distinctive," said Seitz. At the time, colorful shirts and ties were the fashion for men.

"He kept that style the rest of his life, even after the fashion world had moved on," Seitz said.

Beneath his eccentricities, colleagues and friends say, Blair was a man who cared for others and loved Birmingham.

Blair left work at the office and enjoyed cooking, searching thrift stores for clothes, and caring for his four cats, recalled his girlfriend of 12 years, Martha Shannonhouse.

"He was a very gentle person. Very kind, very caring," Shannonhouse said.

Blair had a few very close friends outside of work, recalled Hank Rust. The two attended elementary school together, graduated together from the University of Alabama, where Blair majored in political science and minored in history, and remained friends until Blair's death.

After Rust's wife died, Blair was there for his friend. "He was a big, big, big help in pulling me through that," Rust recalled. Former Post-Herald features writer Leigh Anne Monitor says Blair had a love of Birmingham, "especially downtown and the way it once was."

"What I remember isn't so much the colorful stories, but the person who cared for the city in his own unique way," she said.

To suggest a person for Farewell, contact Sherri Goodman at 325-2468, by fax at 325-2283, or e-mail at sgoodman@bhamnews.com.

jgray@bhamnews.com

© 2008 The Birmingham News
© 2008 al.com All Rights Reserved.

Always an original

2008-05-12T09:54:00.001-05:00

From Mike Baswell:
I'd just started work at the Birmingham News in late 1989 when I had my first Charlie experience. I worked the evening shift in the Composing Room, and one evening of my first week as I circled the block looking for a parking space, I saw a rather garishly dressed gentleman walking the sidewalk of 22nd street north having a heated argument with the very air it seemed. As luck would have it, I found a space that left me directly in his path. I hesitated about getting out of my car until he'd passed, his tirade still echoing down the street. I counted myself lucky that I'd avoided this obviously deranged individual.
Flash forward several hours to the approaching Post-Herald deadline and I'm chosen to learn 'make-up' this evening. This was where the pages were put together and checked by a copy editor before being released. I'm working feverishly on a page, and trying to remember everything I've been told to do when, suddenly, I hear that voice again, that voice of the man on ranting his way down the street. I turn to look and there's Charlie headed directly towards me. He stalked over, seemingly oblivious of my shock or even my mere presence, and began peering intently at the page and then suddenly he yelled, "Push it!" and he was off to the next frame. I stood shaken for a moment before gathering my wits and taking the page to the camera. All the while I was wondering just what the Post-Herald's hiring criteria must be?
Over time I came to realize that Charlie just had his eccentricities. I think that old building thrived on eccentricity actually, and Charlie's was just a little more pronounced than most. I also came to realize that he was an extremely intelligent and interesting individual. He was a veritable walking encyclopedia on a host of subjects, and probably one of the best damned deadline copy editors to have ever walked the floors of the old Composing Room.
I always enjoyed working with Charlie and the Post Herald folks and I mourned a inside with the demise of the paper. I mourned a little more when the old building was demolished in favor of that glass and steel monstrosity that now sits across from the old site. And I mourn now the loss of the truly unique man that I knew there. In a world that seems to be more and more cookie-cutter bland every day, Charlie Blair was an original. He used to take a lot of grief from the folks in Composing, but I like to think he knew it was all in fun and that he enjoyed it to a degree. I know his antics made the time there enjoyable for those of us that worked there. Rest easy Charlie.

Charlie's Death Notice -- TBN

2008-05-11T17:56:00.001-05:00

Thanks to Susan for passing this along...

Charlie's Death Notice as printed in The Birmingham News and online at al.com.

... a different side.

2008-05-10T12:09:00.001-05:00

From David Coan ...

I'm sorry I didn't hear about Charlie until today. We (The Composing Room Guys) saw a different side of Charlie that PHers did not see.

He wasn't as tense when he came up to edit pages.

Someone needs to get the story from Jim Willis how Willis and Blair double crossed Paul Moore on a joke that was supposed to be pulled on Charlie and ended up with Paul Moore with his jaw touching the floor.

We all have Charlie stories ... and hopefully loved him like a brother.

Irrepressible and irreplaceable

2008-04-30T09:00:00.003-05:00

I joined the copy desk in 1998, and I too loved Charlie's outrageous style, endless spread of condiments, hilarious Hitler impression, and wonderful knowledge of Birmingham history. In fact, Adam Wilson and I were always threatening to do a style piece for the postmortem called the "Blair Stitch Project" (Adam's brilliant line), but we never got around to it.
For the first few months I was there, I don't think Charlie really noticed me at all. I sat on the opposite side from him, so we didn't really interact too much during our shifts. However, that all changed when he learned I was a vegetarian. One day, we were both on a break in the old cafeteria, and I was heating up a veggie burger. He recognized it as such and struck up a conversation with me about tofu and the like that continued off and on the entire time I worked at the PH. Ever since his heart attack, his doctor had told him no more fatty, dark meats, so he delved into the world of meat substitutes with his usual zest. From then on, we always shared new discoveries and recipes with each other. I remember his delight when I introduced him to veggie corn dogs.
Our world will be a little less colorful without Charlie Blair, but I'm sure the folks upstairs are glad to have him.

From The Garage...

2008-04-28T12:40:00.004-05:00

Hats off to those who came to The Garage on Saturday. I know it was short notice, and I apologize. We had a good time reminiscing about Charlie and the P-H in general. I think we could keep writing and sharing stories for a long time and still not get to everything.

I've included two photographs that I took with my phone. I'm sorry about the quality.

Again, thanks to everyone who has contributed. It's nice to go back and read all these great stories. I've also enjoyed getting back in touch with people. The circumstances weren't ideal, obviously, but reading these stories reminds us what a great, caring group of people we had.

Stephen

A few memories of Charlie...

2008-04-28T09:50:00.003-05:00

I sat in front of Charlie, so I think that I was one of the closest people to hear a lot of what he mumbled under his breath. I'd be heavily involved in designing a page, when all of the sudden, I'd hear Charlie having a conversation with Susan...although Susan was sitting at her desk on the other side of our circle of computers. Then he would get up and say the exact same thing to her.

It took him awhile to remember my name, and we used to get a kick out of him going, "Who is MNorris?" when he would read my specs in PCopy.

I was told early on that their were two topics you never brought up around Charlie...movies and politics. If he happened to hear either one, he would get involved in a two-hour conversation until Susan would kindly tell him to go sit down. :)

I always felt so bad for Michael when he came down with budget changes. Charlie did not hide his disgust when something got moved around, and poor Michael would usually get a good lashing for it! :)

Charlie, you were a character! You will be missed!

Dashing Charlie

2008-04-27T21:54:00.006-05:00

There once was a man named Blair
his clothes were a huge affair
he put the "zoot"
in every suit
and thought himself quite debonair

For those of us who worked near Charlie, or within shouting distance, he wasn't someone that was going to be ignored. He was that way without even realizing it, because it was just part of the eccentric and bold style he had acquired over the years.

In the evening, he would come dashing in like Zorro, with one of his many coats or capes gallantly ready for the hanger.... He didn't just put on old clothes from the thrift store, he WORE them, walking quickly through the newsroom as if it were an angry, military-style fashion show. I remember one time being in the coatroom, as he flung open the door and almost knocked me down with it. I could see the apology in his eyes when he mumbled "sorry, I didn't see you," hung up his coat, and then looked me up and down like a creepy uncle. But he was sweet. I imagined him to be quite the skirt chaser in his younger years. I could just see him in an old newsroom, pounding on a manual typewriter, a cigarette dangling from his lips as he cried, "i before e, except after c, you idiot!"

Charlie both confused and charmed me ... no one could not give a damn like Charlie. I admired that. He was there to do a job and he took it seriously. Of course, there were the tourette's-like outbursts -- when his mouth might give you half a verbal clue as to what was going on in his head. "I mean who would...?" and "I never!" might be followed up by pounding on the spacebar or storming away muttering "damn semicolons!" You never knew what was going to happen. One day, a friend and I were talking about music, and Charlie walked up and announced that he wanted to discuss Muddy Waters. We let him.

I once heard a rumor that he almost burned down three different apartments, because he fell asleep while smoking. That just added to the mystery for me. It seemed thrilling to think it was true. Charlie walking away from the smoldering rubble, all cool in his red dress pants, houndstooth coat and a hat once owned by a true mobster. I like to imagine him walking through the Pearly Gates the same way.

Charlie's desk was an example of found art... it should have been in the museum bringing in royalties. I can still see the hot sauce, the salt and pepper, right next to a huge bottle of aspirin, and a bottle of Afrin nasal spray. Sometimes he would have mustard or tarter sauce or packets of tea lying around, in some never-ending cycle that just fascinated me.... I only had pens and a stapler. In comparision, I had no style at all.

I always thought that it would take years and years of outbursts and fancy clothes to make me as cool as Charlie. And I probably will never come close.

Oh That CHARLIE !!

2008-04-27T20:29:00.001-05:00

Reading all of these memorials about Charlie vividly brought me back "HOME" to the PH.

I wish I had known that everyone, besides me, noticed that Charlie dressed, shall I say, differently, immodestly, madcaply, daringly - well not exactly fashionably. Matter of fact, between his dress, his Hitler-like mustache and his mumbling to himself or whoever was in that brilliant little mind of his – he scared the HELL out of me.

I remember when I would be putting out the afternoon mail and he’d come in early and be putting his coat away in that little room. He’d mumble something but then I got a smile and that’s when I realized that under that fearful exterior, there must be someone nice underneath.

Since I couldn't be with y’all at the Garage for a toast – I went out into my garage for a moment of silence remembering funny little Charlie Blair.

Rita Whitlock

Editorial Assistant

A few details...

2008-04-26T18:18:00.003-05:00

From Susan Robinson:

I spoke with his landlady today. She was not sure what his illness was, but he had been in the hospital (St. Vincent's) for a couple of weeks before he died.

She and her husband found two of Charlie's relatives (cousins?) through the Internet. They came down from Virginia and had the remains cremated. They are/were planning a service in Virginia.

At some point, they will return to Birmingham to go through Charlie's possessions. But right now there are no plans for a service here.

Thanks Susan. We've got answers to some of our questions now. I'm sure we'll learn more in time.

The elevator incident

2008-04-26T16:42:00.002-05:00

From The Birmingham News Photo Editor, Walt Stricklin:

One short Charlie story.

I had seen Charlie around the building ... how could you miss him in his unusual wardrobe.

You remember the days before there was very good security at the old building. I was coming in from lunch and headed to photo, in a little bit of a hurry, but too lazy to take the stairs even though the front elevator was out of commission.

Charlie was standing in front of me waiting. As will happen when there was one elevator, the crowd started to build. Charlie moved real close to the closed elevator doors. I thought this a little unusual, when all of a sudden he started beating the doors with his fists and screaming. That is when the entire crowd decided that the stairs were the only option worth considering.

Charlie had the elevator to himself.

I asked someone from the P-H later that day how Charlie was and they said there was nothing unusual.

I came to like him ... from afar. Even with all his eccentricities he seemed to be one of the few people that I have ever come in contact with that was truly comfortable in his own skin. He did not seem to mind what anyone thought of him or his style.

I will respect him for that!!!

Walt

====

I love this story and its ambiguity. Did Charlie bang on those doors screaming because that's just how Charlie was? Or, did he smartly discourage an unwanted crowd of people from sharing an elevator ride with him?

Coffee-- what he needed the least, he wanted the most

2008-04-25T22:54:00.006-05:00

From former Post-Herald graphics editor Jane Bell:

Charlie was such an original and very interesting. This can’t be said about everyone, but was true about him after overlooking his before mentioned quirks. The day to day work at the Post-Herald was flavored by lots of gifted people and I am fortunate to have some great memories of Charlie.

I remember the time Charlie came to the art department to tell me we were out of newsroom coffee. I was in charge of keeping the supply up and had obviously slipped. Charlie was put-out about by this and displayed the empty can as visual evidence of the problem. He stood there like he needed an answer as to how he was going to make it through his shift without his preferred blend of coffee, giving me a look as if to say “Can you run out and buy a couple of cans, right now?” While he was waiting for a reply, I thought about changing the topic because I obviously couldn’t leave work and really didn’t know what to tell him other than something he didn’t want to hear. Then what would happen? I said I would bring some coffee in tomorrow and by the way – how nice his bow tie looked. Our conversation about a simple clothing access0ry and the importance of it to him was all it took to turn the tide. Of course he had quite the bow tie collection with a history behind each one of the price paid, location bought or which actor wore a similar style in a particular movie. Afterwards, he relented that he most likely could get coffee in the composing room. He was content.

One late night Charlie and I were standing over Paul Moore table in the composing room while he pasted up a column of type that had just made its way through the wax machine. It was an election night and I was asked at the last minute to go upstairs to make sure the A1 election results graphic, fresh headlines and copy were pasted evenly for the Final edition’s update. Paul, feeling the push of an encroaching deadline, was having problems getting the rather long waxed column pasted straight without skewing other page items. You could see his tension rise with every failed attempt, while Charlie hovered, making comments and gestures indicating that the page really needed to be pushed to the presses after all it was an election publication. After having enough of Charlie, a ticking clock and an artist standing around watching all of this, Paul finally blurted out, “Damn it! Why can’t I have three hands like my brother!” Startled from the thought, Charlie let out a withdrawing gasp and looked at Paul with an astonished face thinking he was serious! Paul looked at me with a quick wink letting me know that my immediate howl of laugher was OK and that he really didn’t have a brother with three hands! Typical composing room clowning!

Charlie continued to call the art department 'Jane's office' long after her departure.

A man who knew his food

2008-04-25T18:22:00.003-05:00

At least half of the things we found out about for that "Eating Out" column came directly from Charlie Blair.

He would know about some new restaurant, or on an old one closing, and would give a long explanation of the history of how said restaurant happening came to be.

Of course, he always did this when I was on deadline for something else, but I couldn't help but stop and listen.

Charlie knew food around town, and he loved to talk about the old days of restaurants long gone to the city. But to him, these places were just as vibrant as if he'd eaten there yesterday. And as tasty. More than once he told the story of the Chinese restaurant downtown near Linn Park. It was like getting regular tours through places long forgotten, seeing Birmingham through the eyes of someone who saw a much different place than the boarded up storefronts.

Surely Charlie got a kick out of the new lofts and businesses going in downtown now. I'm sure he found it exciting.

I would oftentimes run into Charlie in the Salvation Army thrift store, just looking at stuff. I was there doing the same weird thing. I wonder if he went there to see the lives people led in all the junk they threw away. Maybe that's why he dressed in all of the colorful things no one wanted anymore.

He found his flair in so many ways in the things other people forgot.

Thank God none of us will forget Charlie.

Thanks, everyone... and JOIN US TOMORROW!

2008-04-25T18:00:00.004-05:00

I want to thank everyone who has contributed thus far. We've all painted a stellar portrait of a stellar man.

With every post I read, I start to remember more and more personal encounters with Charlie. Like how the "Damned AP doesn't even follow its own style." Or, (and copy desk folks will get this one more than most) the reign of terror that ensued when poor Michael Shelby would come down with a change to the booking plan.

For those who'd like to sit with friends for a little while and laugh... and possibly cry, I think I'm just going to decisively say that we'll meet tomorrow... Saturday April 26, at The Garage. 2304 10th Terrace South. 7 p.m. If you need directions, may I suggest mapquest, google maps, etc. Please invite everyone you think would want to honor Charlie. Please don't make me re-live all the times when I'm the only one who shows up for the party. I'll post this to P-PH also.

God bless you all, and thanks again...

Steve
dudwash@gmail.com
siskste@bellsouth.net

2008-04-25T16:43:00.001-05:00

The copy desk the day the Birmingham Post-Herald closed its doors: Pat Rupinski, Dave Sharp, Megan Norris, Adam Smith, Charlie Blair and News Editor Susan Robinson.

Shawn Ryan, former Assistant Metro Editor

2008-04-25T15:44:00.001-05:00

When I worked at the Birmingham News, Charlie was that guy from the Post-Herald with the Hitler mustache that you passed in the hallways but didn't make eye contact with because, well, he kind of weirded you out since he always seemed to be talking to himself.

When I joined the PH years later, Charlie was still talking to himself, but most of it was mutterings about his "damn computer" and anything else that annoyed him.

Charlie was still weird, but after working with him at night for a while, he became much less frightening because, down deep he was a decent guy.

He used to approach me at night to discuss old (old, old) movies because, I guess, I was the closest one to his age in the newsroom at the time. I knew about some of the movies he mentioned, but some were so obscure only Roger Ebert, the film's director and the director's mom recognized them.

And I appreciated his singular sartorial style. Like Charlie, I buy a lot of clothes at thrift stores, but he had a talent for finding the ones with the brightest colors and loudest patterns and wearing them in any damn combinations he wanted.

In journalism, you meet a lot of people who march to different drums. Charlie was their drum major.

Charlie Blair: Historian

2008-04-25T15:42:00.002-05:00

Former Post-Herald reporter Andrew Nelson worked in the evenings just a few feet away from Charlie. He was able to break away from his bride-to-be Elizabeth to share a few thoughts about Charlie:

I, too, just saw the news about Charlie. That sucks.

Although I do remember the yelling and pummeling of keyboards, what I remember more is how Charlie would fill me in on the history of Birmingham. He was a treasure trove of knowledge on the city, he knew what used to be where, what the old neighborhoods used to be like, and the businesses that used to be in the old buildings.

They weren't just interesting history lessons. As a newcomer to Birmingham it helped me understand the city and be a better reporter.

If anyone has more concrete news on his passing, please post ASAP.

On another, happier, note, Elizabeth and I are getting married tomorrow. Wish us luck!

Andrew

We do wish you both much luck and a lovely future together. Congratulations!

Ahh, the outbursts

2008-04-25T15:28:00.001-05:00

I was an intern at Southern Living when I first heard the name Charlie Blair. I had accepted the job on the copy desk at the P-H and Nick Patterson – a former P-Her – made his way around to my desk and briefed me of the man I would meet. As I recall, Nick didn’t say much. I don’t think he wanted to ruin the surprise.

As fate would have it, Susan Robinson sat me right next to Charlie on my first evening. I don’t know that I actually witnessed a frustrated outburst that night, but there’s a good chance I did.

Phrases like “Ooooohhhhhh!” and “Pop ups!” and “Susan! Oh, uh, never mind” and “AP can’t follow their own style!” were both roared with fervor and quite commonplace. Ben Buckner sat on the other side of me (directly across from Charlie) and I’d regularly shoot him expressions of “What the hell?” – which were always met with casual smirks that said “Hey, what are you gonna do?”

Over time, I saw these outbursts, a penchant for discount clothing from secondhand stores (Christmas wear was my favorite, I don’t know about you), and an obsession for classic film, food, and history made Charlie into a very charming character.

On the job he was a fine copy and wire editor. That seemed to be his niche and what he was best at. I don’t know if it was his wealth of stories, his experience, or his “look,” but he just felt like a true newspaperman to me.

I’m a movie geek, too, and despite the generation gap we were able to talk movies from time to time. We both seemed to like HBO’s original series like “The Sopranos,” “Deadwood,” and “Carnivale.” Correspondence was rare between us after the P-H, but I had thought recently about sending Charlie an e-mail to ask if he was going to watch the “John Adams” miniseries that just wrapped. My thought is we’d both like it.

I know there are a few of us that are still working with Harris Newsmaker. It hasn’t changed. From time to time Harris performs one of its “special features” and – if frustrated enough – I’ll erupt a “Son of a … !” or “What the …?” And then I smile and think about Charlie. God bless him.

Maybe that’s just something that newspapermen do.

-- Dave

AWWWWWW!!!!!

2008-04-25T14:22:00.006-05:00

From former Post-Herald Asst. Sports Editor Ben Buckner:

My desk was directly across from Charlie's, and I reiterate everything that has been said already. Sure, he was strange, but he was sincere. He didn't change himself to try to fit in.

More than anything, I'll remember the mutterings that have already been referred to. Being right across from him, I got a little of everything that most folks in the newsroom couldn't hear because they were usually said half under his breath. The things that came out of Charlie's mouth! He had a unique perspective and an intellectual humor like Dennis Miller's that was way over my head, but I could tell his jokes and observations would be funny to history buffs and serious thinkers.

Charlie's struggles with the Harris system were legendary. I can remember many, many a night where we'd all be absorbed in our stories and layouts and the newsroom was very quiet. Suddenly, Charlie would let out a big AWWWWWWW of disappointment with Harris, usually startling me and breaking whatever deadline tension I was feeling at
the time.

Someone once told me that of all the people in our newsroom, Charlie was the one most likely to go "postal." Maybe that's true, but if that was the case I liked our chances. He was eccentric and excitable, but anyone could tell he was really a sweet guy with a great sense of humor and a commitment to doing his best.

Thanks to Charlie for breaking the tension and for being a unique
person in a homogeneous world.

-- Buck

Don't step on my blue suede shoes

2008-04-25T13:13:00.005-05:00

From former Post-Herald designer/copy editor McDowell Crook:

I worked with Charlie on the copy desk for around two years (2000 to 2002) and I always enjoyed our conversations. Although he seemed to come from another era, he was a good man and a great copy editor. I loved his outfits, too. Soon after I started working at the Post-Herald Charlie came walking in one night wearing plaid pants, a green short-sleeved shirt and a salmon-colored tie. Not really knowing him, I thought he was intentionally dressing funny so I complemented his outfit, in particular the tie. He proceeded to thank me for the complement and said with complete seriousness: "You know, if you just hang on to your clothes long enough, they'll eventually come back into fashion." I liked him from that moment on. Every once in a while he wore a pair of actual blue suede shoes, the only pair I've ever seen. Charlie was a unique and decent guy. He lived in the same apartments a friend of mine lived in, and whenever I ran into him outside we would chat. He was a pretty funny guy, and I frequently ended up chuckling along at his observations.

He was usually rather quiet on the desk, occasionally grumbling about some grammatical rule no one follows anymore or how he couldn't get a horizontal rule to cooperate, but every once in a while some story would remind him of something and he would get quite animated about it. "Ha! Can you believe Charleton Heston's a spokesman for the NRA now? I remember seeing him in 55 Days at Peking in 1963 and thinking, what a dope!" Sometimes I really wasn't sure how to respond to these comments, but Tommy Chalkly would usually chime in and the two would reminisce for a bit. Charlie did have a lot of interesting stories, especially about old films and movie stars. He also did a great impression of Hitler.

One thing's for sure. Charlie will be glad to find that they don't use Harris in Heaven.

O.J.? O.J.?!!!

2008-04-25T13:12:00.002-05:00

From Steve Bell, former Post-Herald Managing Editor, who worked with Charlie 18 years:

It's true that Charlie was more than a bit eccentric -- the way he interjected slightly profane exclamations into the newsroom while editing, the cornucopia of condiments and spices that he kept on his desk -- but I also recall him as a steady worker who was quick with a smile. And he could have a sharp eye toward copy. I remember him talking about a wire story that referred to the O.J. Simpson case as the trial of the century. "Well," Charlie asked, " What about Nuremberg?" Rest well, Charlie.

He loved old movies... and ribs

2008-04-24T22:53:00.006-05:00

During my first few months on the copy desk, I remember commenting to Dave Sharp that Charlie didn't seem to be much for conversation. Dave said I just have to catch him on the right day, and on the right subject. Apparently, Charlie's two favorite subjects were old, obscure movies and food.

Fast-forward a couple of months later. I was trying to get done with my work for the evening, and Dave was already done. Charlie came over to our side of the desk to pick up a proof from the printer. Dave was in a sporty mood and knew I was frazzled. A half-hour conversation about sea bass or Audrey Hepburn or something ensued. It would have ended much sooner, but Dave kept the conversation going despite my every-two-second stink eye. As much as it distracted and frustrated me, I found myself genuinely interested in the conversation.

I wonder if everyone else wishes -- like I do -- that they had known Charlie better. Or maybe that he had known me better. One evening after I had been on the copy desk for a number of months, I greeted Charlie on the way back to my desk.
"I put that story you were looking for in your (Harris system) basket," Charlie said.
When I got back to my desk, I looked in "pstephen." Nothing. I refreshed the listing. Nothing.
"Where'd you say you put that story, Charlie?"
"Ahhhh... "pdave."
"I'm Stephen, Charlie."
"Ohh. Ohhhkay."
That makes me smile every time I think about it.

Over time, I developed an impression of Charlie's frequent outbursts. Although I used to feel a bit ashamed, considering I was basically making fun of the man, I came to realize that it was Charlie's uniqueness that I was highlighting. It wasn't ridicule. It was, as the saying goes... flattery. But I think it needs to be retired now.

Charlie will truly be missed. I'm happy to have known him.

Stephen

From Amy...

2008-04-24T22:01:00.001-05:00

Post-Herald photographer Amy Voigt shares her thoughts:

So sad to hear about Charlie..I have so many fond fond memories of Charlie...especially since he lived near me in 5 Points...I always used to see him on his daily walk looking so absorbed in his environment....

Our going away party was so fun with him...lots of tragedy this year for our PH family...

Hope everyone is well.

aim

Outside the office...

2008-04-24T21:50:00.007-05:00

From Holly Lang:

I just went through some old emails, and found these pictures. I knew they were there somewhere! Anyway, the group one I remember vividly. We were all sitting at the table, and Charlie was telling a story about when he started at the Post Herald. I'm fairly certain he launched into a Hitler impersonation just after that.

The photos were taken by a cell phone, so they aren't the best quality. But I did want to pass them along.

Poor, poor keyboard

2008-04-24T21:47:00.006-05:00

From Charlie's coworker and former Post-Herald Asst. Managing Editor John Staed:

Despite his ability to scare the wits out of interns and his relentless pounding on his poor keyboard, Charlie had a good heart and cared about what he was doing. When I started at the PH in 1984, he and I were coworkers on the copy desk and he was always pleasant to me, if a bit strange. Charlie, like Jim says, was our main guy to go up to composing, as it was known, and use a blue marker to cut stories to fit. Paul Moore did like to torture Charlie, but Paul liked to torture everyone he could. Charlie could cut a story as well as anyone, and made Paul and the others do it.

I know toward the end of the PH, when he had to learn pagination, he gave it his best shot, didn't really complain much. I know it wasn't easy for him, and I know Susan Robinson had the patience of Job with him.

Charlie actually was a pretty good copy editor. I've seen the copy he worked on and was impressed.

Charlie, to me, represents one of the old "characters" who populated newspapers. Back then, he was part of the group. Today, I'm not sure how he'd fit in.

I do recall a party or two when Charlie was asked to quote verbatim from Mien Kamp (or however it's spelled) and he did so without any hesitation. I preferred not to go there very often.
A conversation with Charlie could take some strange directions, but he was who he was and I consider myself richer for having known someone like him.

God bless him and the PH family.

John Staed

Born for the Role...

2008-04-24T21:43:00.002-05:00

Former Post-Herald Photo and Graphics Editor Bob Farley remembers Charlie:

Charlie was an icon of the newsroom for sure. I was thinking about him the other day when I read about a casting call for a film being shot in Montevallo. They were looking for a person who resembled Hitler. Well Charlie jumped to mind because the first PH party I went, some time back in the late 80's, Charlie went into his Hitler bit for what seemed like 5 minutes. I about fell out from not only his German but from his commitment to the roll. He would have been a great Hitler if Hitler lived as long as Charlie.

Tell me when and where and I be there to remember him.

Bob Farley

Charlie Strikes Back...

2008-04-24T21:40:00.005-05:00

From former Post-Herald Editor and President Jim Willis:

Colleagues:

Sorry to hear about Charlie. Please keep me posted on the details as they become available. I've never been able to access the yahoo group, so please send me any details that emerge via e-mail.

It's sad, if true, that there was a problem locating any relatives to claim Charlie's body. I hope that's been resolved now.

My favorite Charlie Blair story involves his relationship with the printers.

When we were doing paste-up on the Post-Herald, Charlie was the designated person from the copy desk to represent our interests in the composing room. The printers loved to razz Charlie and, for the most part, he put up with it and/or ignored them.

One night when they seemed to riding him particularly hard, I called Charlie aside, told him he didn't have to put up with the razzing and that I'd intervene on his behalf and bring it to and end. Charlie said it didn't bother him and told me not to worry about it.

So, I asked him if he wanted to have some fun and turn the tables on them. Charlie said, sure.

I asked Charlie to give me his P-H ID badge and told him to come back to the composing room a few minutes later. The plan was for Charlie to wait until the printers started in on him again and then to yell out angrily that he didn't have to put up with all of the abuse and harassment and then storm off the floor.

Charlie wasn't back in the composing room for more than four or five minutes before the printers started in on him, Paul Moore being prominently among them. Charlie played his role to perfection and left the composing room with Paul and others in shock and with their mouths wide open. I told them I'd go downstairs and try to smooth things over with Charlie.

I came back downstairs, had a laugh with Charlie and others in the newsroom about the effect of the prank on the printers and then went back upstairs to tell Moore and the rest of the folks that they had gone too far this time and Charlie had turned in his ID card and quit, saying he just couldn't tolerate the constant badgering and harassment.

Moore and the rest of them implored me to seek Charlie out, offer their apologies and do anything I could to get Charlie to come back. I told them I'd try, but asked them if they would agree to back off on their badgering and promise to treat Charlie with respect if he would agree to come back. Moore said, yes, whatever it took to get Charlie back.

Charlie came back to the composing room, of course, and Moore realized pretty quickly that he and the other printers had completely been taken in by the ruse. The last time I talked to Paul Moore, he commented that this had been the best prank anybody had ever pulled on the printers and Charlie had really taught them a lesson that night.

Charlie certainly was a character and a colorful figure in the newsroom -- both literally and figuratively. May he rest and peace. We commend his soul to God.

Jim

Karl remembers

2008-04-24T21:18:00.001-05:00

From longtime colleague and former Post-Herald Editorial Page Editor Karl Seitz:

Charlie Blair may never have been a typical newspaperman. But he was not nearly as eccentric as he became in later years when I began working on the Post-Herald copy desk about eight months after he had started in January 1967. To be sure, the imitations of Hitler were already common, but I believe the offbeat snacks and seasonings he kept around his work space didn't begin appearing until several years later. Nor did his unique fashion statements.

Charlie is the one who introduced me to the composing room and tutored me in the ways of that place in its hot-metal days. And those who think Paul Moore was a rough hazer of copy editors never met Roy Davis. But Charlie survived, perhaps because he, like most of them, had spent time in the military. It gave them a link across the generational difference in ages.

It was always interesting to get my pages back from the copy desk after Charlie had proofread them. He would occasionally catch major errors, but it was usually his nitpicking and unusual view of style that got to me. He would go through phases when he tried to impose a particular word usage and phrasing. The one I remember for its duration was adding the word "to" almost everywhere the word "in" appeared.

And I never could convince him that "goth" was a perfectly good word when dealing with a particular segment of our culture. He wanted me to use "gothic."

Unlike most of you, I did see Charlie from time to time after the Post-Herald closed. We lived a few blocks apart and our paths would sometimes cross when we were each walking on Highland Avenue. I think Highland is the only place Charlie walked as I never saw him on the many other streets I walk. But if you thought his clothes were unusual at work, you should have seen him in his walking gear, particularly when it was warm enough to wear shorts. The outfit I remember best included knee-high white support hose, camouflage shorts and vest. And always a hat.

--

Karl Seitz

Charlie

2008-04-24T17:47:00.002-05:00

This site has been created as a memorial for Charlie Blair, longtime copy editor for the now-defunct Birmingham Post-Herald.

Charlie was with the Birmingham Post-Herald for more than three decades, until the newspaper closed in September 2oo5 and Charlie retired.

A verbally outspoken, yet personally reserved man, Charlie passed away this week. At the time of this writing, little is known about the circumstances of Charlie's passing. However, more information will become available, and will be posted here as well as shared among friends.

At this time, arrangements are unclear. This information will soon follow. A gathering of friends has been proposed in remembrance of Charlie. Date, time and place are forthcoming.

If you knew Charlie... friends, family, coworkers, acquaintances... please feel free to share some of your favorite moments or conversations here.

I've tried to include everyone on an old e-mail list I had, so that everybody can post. If you find you can't post, please e-mail me at dudwash@gmail.com, and I'll add you to the list.