Protect Our Woods: Klawitter Memorial Fund & Nature Preserve

Bob Klawitter, former president of Protect our Woods, was an outstanding environmental activist devoted to making the world a saner, better place. As a founder of POW, he set the standard for the work we continue today. That work is unfinished, but we who are left carry on Bob's dream. We continue to work in the best way we can to create a sustainable future for all of us in rural Southern Indiana and across the state, and to do our part in promoting the future health and well-being of the planet. We have established the Klawitter Memorial Fund to purchase a tract of land to be held in trust as a nature preserve. Your contributions can make it happen!

In 1998, the Indiana General Assembly voted Bob a Sagamore of Indiana, with the folloiwng resolution:

Indiana General Assembly

State of Indiana

House Resolution 3

Introduced by Representatives Mark Kruzan, Paul S Mannweiler, Jerry L Denbo, Jerry F. Bales
Adopted by voice vote in the House on January 6, 1998 during the Second Regular Session of the 110th General Assembly

Whereas, A House resolution to honor and thank Bob Klawitter for outstanding service to the state of Indiana. Bob Klawitter loyally served his community and his state in his role as one of Indiana's foremost intellectual leaders in the field of environmental protection;

and

Whereas, Bob Klawitter's absolute commitment to his purpose and his immense and boundless goodwill were demonstrated through his tireless research and his dedication to service;

and

Whereas, Bob Klawitter's practical consideration of Indian's environmental struggle enabled him to make sense of it for others and help them to recognize it as a battle for long term survival for humanity;

and

Whereas, Bob Klawitter's personal vision and lifetime commitment to protect the environment improved the quality of life for his fellow citizens in ways they may never know:

and

Therefore, Be it resolved by the House of Representatives of the General Assembly of the State of Indiana

Section 1: That the Indiana House of Representatives recognize and pay tribute to Bob Klawitter for the immeasurable contributions to be provided present and future generations through his dedication and determination to serve the environment.

Section 2: That the Principal Clerk of the House of Representatives is directed to send to the family of Bob Klawitter a copy of this resolution

Last Wishes

by Robert Klawitter

April stomping trail
down lane to the purchased land
axe shouldered tentbacked stickless I
heavy hairy stranger
Violet light
spirit of place
haunting Flick logs upstream
across the Easter weedstraw
bottom creek and garden yard
she stood and waved
I waved and walked
the greenbriar blackberry
raspberry
rosebush path
I crossed the ice pricked creek.
Later we talked
where she followed me
she said these were her woods
where she was born
she had returned
she watched for boys
trespassers vandals fire
she wardened where
I staked my camp
I told her then
that I bought
this Gridder place
from Preston and Luella
would live here build here
call on me
for help
And once she took from me
a silent ride
the last few miles from town
where she had walked
In her buttonless coat
and after that she turned
her face to the trees
and trudged the cold shoulder
and after that
we left each other
well enough alone until
Her son who did so well
in hardware in Chicago
had her put away
in a nursing home
where she was made
to take the drug
that kept her sane
after she wintered under blankets
cold by the stove
she lit at last in spring
whose coals in ashes flung
among the frostbit grass were
burning
brush and slash and trees before
the Civil Defense Patrol boys and I
could firebreak the woods.
Now did I make it clear
how she appeared that first time
wearing nothing
but the one torn open faded flowered dress
but the pale blueveined briarbitten buttonless flesh
scarpinched barefoot
breastflapped
strung out black hair
cockled with burrs
roughly my age
Though no warm feeling,
came between us I
would not have us shut up
stoned between smooth walls
but keeping our scratching cold
unspoken spacing love
the doorless thicket life we've
chosen
and the icy death apart.