Raymond C. Blackburn
January 2, 1933 - September 21, 1993

Do not stand at my grave and weep.
I am not there, I do not sleep.
I am a thousand winds that blow.
I am the diamond glint on snow.
I am the sunlight on ripened grain. I am gentle autumn rain.
When you wake in the morning hush,
I am the swift, uplifting rush
Of quiet birds in circling flight.
I am the soft starlight at night.
Do not stand at my grave and weep.
I am not there, I do not sleep.

A Native American Prayer

Raymond C. Blackburn, Recipient of the 1991 Heizer Award

The 1991 Heizer Award is presented to Ray Blackburn for his continuing stewardship of the archaeological resources of Southern Texas. While Chairman of the Southern Texas Archaeological Association for 1991, Ray Blackburn exercised exceptional motivation, leadership, and planning which resulted in new levels of STAA activity and membership. At the same time, he also served as the Secretary of the Texas Archeological Society, managing its office at the Center for Archaeological Research of the University of Texas at San Antonio, and overseeing the correspondence and activities of the society; he also served on the TAS Board and Executive Committee traveling to all parts of the state to record meetings of these groups and to participate in society activities.

Even with this full workload, he always found time for STAA. He organized new membership activities for the STAA, developed and executed plans and budgets for an STAA Field School near Castroville, Texas in coordination with the Institute of Texan Cultures, and helped at every opportunity with the physical arrangements for this unique new STAA field activity. He also participated in the continuing excavations at the Dan Baker Site in Comal County, including coordinating a UTSA summer archaeological field school at that site.

Under his leadership, the STAA has enjoyed unprecedented growth and development both in terms of growth in membership and constructive activities for the organization, even when such activities have required exceptional personal effort and inconvenience on his part. For his outstanding dedication to Southern Texas archaeology, his creative leadership, and his exceptional success in enhancing the STAA role in the region and across the state, the committee is extremely pleased to honor his contributions by awarding him the 1991 Robert F. Heizer award.