Respecting a credo he practiced through his 30 years of military service with the USAF, Colonel D.W. “Doc” Pitts’ focus on Service before Self is now channeled to the Witkop Foundation mission – honoring those who have given so much to the cause of freedom around the world.
An avid outdoorsman, you won't find Don behind a desk very often. Reflecting back on his many decades as a hunter and 38 years as a professional pilot in various fighter aircraft and commercial airlines, Don speaks with a twinkle in his eye about the skills taught to him “in the field” by so many great guides and instructors. "This is where all the classroom time in a 1 G, climate controlled building is put to test and theory meets reality".
At an early age Don was taught respect for nature, firearms safety, basic marksmanship and small game & bird hunting skills “the old fashion way”…handed down father to son. Later in life and in various fields of endeavor he honed those skills and developed a passion to share these with others. One of his personal goals is to mentor following generations, teaching the craft and heritage of the harvest. As a member of Safari Club International, the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation, the Dallas Safari Club and a Patron Life member of the NRA as well as a Life member of the Air Force Association, Don’s efforts are focused on a deeply patriotic purpose in life, along with a fervent support for the conservation of natural resources through responsible management, maintaining a proper balance within the circle of life and educating others about the importance of hunters in the preservation of all species. His leadership of the Witkop Foundation is a reflection of these core values.