UAB medical school dean Dr. Jim Pittman loved flying, adventure

Like a real-life Indiana Jones, Dr. Jim Pittman had a flair for adventure, despite his bow-tie wearing academic appearance as dean of the UAB School of Medicine. Pittman, dean of the UAB School of Medicine from 1973-92, died on Jan. 12. He was 86. Anyone who attended the Bessemer Air Show in the early 1980s had a chance to ride with Pittman in his 1935 Stearman biplane. Pittman would offer rides all day long.