A giant has fallen, and we will miss him. Always a hero of mine. I built three Helicopter pads, during my career in Houston, and still live near one, where the Life Flight craft land, all hours of the day...( I think the current fleet is six Sikorskys..) Well known fact, that he was there the day JFK was shot. He worked on the Governor, and was credited for saving his life. Lesser known fact: I think it was in the Texas Monthly article, on long time Stetson dealer here, Shudde Brothers Hatters. Dr. Duke was the only customer, they said would unbox a new hat, and step back to the steam table...and block it himself. I always wanted to buy one, an leave it there for him, to block, the next time he came through! I guess, if one day I wake up from a crash, in Heaven, and the ER has the good Doc on duty, I will feel right at home. My current employer did the engineering, on the Alvin ISD Elementary School, named in his honor. Before my time, but I like that. Rest In Peace, Doctor 'Red' Duke. "From the University of Texas Health Science Center, in Houston....I'm Doctor Red Duke."
I met him a few times during my medical training in Houston. He was always in cowboy boots, and it was an authentic look for him. RIP.
He was a great & very kind man, I met when I was child at my father's restaurant in downtown Houston.
