Jack Twyman

My deepest sympathy to the entire family, let God be for you a refuge and strength to help you copy during the difficult times ahead, may He provide you with peace and comfort . Psalms 46:1
Robin

Dear Carole . . . my sincere condolances
to you and your family on Jacks passing. I remember the many good times we enjoyed
in the mid 50's at the Hastie home. I only saw Jack about once every 10 years but was always proud to say I knew him
because he personified what it was to be
a great human being. Ed Bludau

I saw firsthand the kind of person Twy was. When I was 12 or 13 I took a bus to the Cinti Gardens for a Saturday practice that was open to kids. Afterwards, a couple other guys told me that Twyman lived in their neighborhood (Mt. Airy), which was just a mile or two past where I lived in Northside. Let's ask him for a ride home, one of them suggested! And unlike today where pro athletes are totally unapproachable, we walked right up and asked him, and he said sure, why not. But what made the biggest impression on me was when he dropped me off, I asked if he could wait until I got in the house to tell my mom, so she'd know I wasn't making it up. He did as I asked and didn't leave until he saw her waving to him. A true gentleman and classy individual

Condolences to Carole and family. I have fond memories of our Friarhurst days. Jack was a kind, generous and thoughtful man. My thoughts and prayers are with you. God bless you.

This is the text of a note I sent to Douglas Martin, who wrote the notice in the NYT -- perhaps more appropriate for the family:

URL:Jack Twyman
Comments:Thank you for your warm reportage on the death of Jack Twyman. His mother was my second grade teacher at now-defunct St Josaphat School in Pittsburgh. We rugrats "met" this giant when he came to our classroom; he had a brother (Ned) who was a basketball star at Duquesne, and who I think was selected by the Celtics during the Russell-Cousy-Sharman era. Mrs Twyman would tell us how her sons slept with their basketballs...
The Maurice Stokes event occurred when I was in middle school, but at Catholic school, we were well aware of Jack Twyman's commitment to aid his fallen teammate & comrade. I can recall Stokes' death years later.
Head trauma such as his still occurs commonly enough, but awareness and technology have moved us well ahead of the state of the art in the 1950's. Some of that is owed to people like Jack Twyman, who responded to more than medical urgency, and gave us an unforgettable example of dedication, caring, and enduring friendship.
So -- thank you for the memory.

Paul R. Mazur, MD, MPH
Northport, Maine

Had the privilege of meeting Jack several years in Dayton at a Super Foods GMS show where my former employer, Bob Kammeyer won an autographed Jack Twyman basketball. Jack was a fine man & great humanitarian. RIP

I was a kid of about 16 when I first started watching NBA games on ABC in the mid 60s with Mr. Twyman as the commentator on the telecast. Since that time, I have judged all other TV analysts by the standards set by his work.

Everyone has a little piece of God in them. Mr. Twyman did a lot with that little piece. I was always so impressed with his relationship to Maury Stokes. My guess is Maury is dunking over Jack now and both are having a good laugh about it.

My condolences to his family.

God blessed us with Jack, whose love for his fellowman should be emulated by each of us.

My father had a face-to-face with Mr. Twyman back in the 60's. They were in a buffet line, and Jack apparently went ahead of my father.
Dad got mad and lit into Jack. My mother was horrified, since Jack was 6'6" and Dad was about 5'11". The outcome was that Mr. Twyman apologized and admitted he should have waited.
He was very gracious, apologetic, and a perfect gentleman. Dad never liked basketball, but from that day on, my Mother and I were HUGE Jack Twyman fans.
I followed the Royals at the Gardens (I'm 70), and never heard or read a negative comment about Jack Twyman.
He will truly be missed.
Lee Watts

Class act -- good man