Christopher S. Chip Pitcairn

1955 - 2019

Christopher S. "Chip" Pitcairn

Corpus Christi, TX

Christopher S. "Chip" Pitcairn beloved father, brother, uncle and son passed away on January 7, 2019 after a brief and courageous battle with cancer. He is survived by his son Michael Max Pitcairn of Austin, Texas, mother Sue K. Pitcairn of Corpus Christi, Texas, brother H.F. "Rick" Pitcairn II of Bryn Athyn Pennsylvania, niece Lauren Leigh Pitcairn and nephew John Pendleton Pitcairn III of Bryn Athyn, Pennsylvania. He was preceded in death by his father, John P. Pitcairn and his brother John P. Pitcairn Jr. both of Corpus Christi, Texas.

Chip was born on May 20, 1955 in Corpus Christi, Texas to John P. Pitcairn and Sue K. Pitcairn. He attended St. James Elementary School and then Hamlin Junior High School. Chip attended Deerfield Academy in Deerfield, Massachusetts and, after graduation, went on to study photo journalism at the University of Texas in Austin, Texas.

Starting as a child in South Texas, he loved the outdoors and he continually hunted, fished and sailed boats throughout his life. Chip's sailing talent led him to mount a 1976 Olympic campaign racing Solings. He followed that up by competing in numerous National and World championship events. He made many deep and meaningful friendships amongst the sailors he competed with and remained close with them throughout his life.

Chip pursued a career as a professional photographer with an emphasis on sports photography. In the 1980's, he photographed for IndyCar Series for lead sponsor, PPG Industries. He enjoyed knowing the best auto racers of the day and only rarely tried to emulate them in his own car. Later in life, he freely gave of his talent as a photographer for the Corpus Christi Ice Rays professional hockey team. All of his photographic efforts gave him great joy and excitement.

In 1990, Chip decided to dedicate himself to a spiritual journey. That decision changed the rest of his life and allowed him to help many people. Throughout his life, and especially at the end of his life, Chip spoke of how rewarding taking that step was and how much happiness it brought him.

At home, Chip was a gentle man of constant humor and jest. More than anything he loved his son Max. The days he spent with Max hunting and fishing in the beauty of South Texas were the happiest of his life. He was rarely outside the company of his beloved Labrador retriever Freckles and dearly loved his previous dogs, Boudreaux and Loomis.

Chip was an avid shooter and fly fisherman who resolutely supported Second Amendment and sportsmen's rights issues. Towards the end of his life, he took a keen interest in US Olympic Trap events and spent many days supporting and competing with and the USA Shooting team.

He was a member of the Sons of the Republic of Texas, the Corpus Christi Pistol and Rifle Club and a former member of the Corpus Christi Yacht Club and Corpus Christi Country Club. He proudly served on the Family Council of Pitcairn Trust Company in Jenkintown, Pennsylvania.

The family would like to deeply thank caregivers Reyna Zapata, Anna Hilario and the staff of River City Hospice for their grace and compassion at the end of Chip's life. Additionally, the family thanks dear friends Alex Kirkland, J.S. "Rocky" Ryan, Megan Sage and Faith Wilde, who so generously and lovingly gave time to comfort him in his final days.

A memorial service will be held at 2:00 PM Friday, January 11 , at the Episcopal Church of the Good Shepherd, 700 South Upper Broadway, Corpus Christi, Texas. In lieu of flowers the family suggests a donation to FlatsWorthy, PO Box 279, Fulton, Texas 78358, a 501c3 group supporting our South Texas saltwater resources.