Broken Pipe: Craig Tarler
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Kevin Godbee - Sep 5, 2012
- 1 min read
We regret to inform the pipe community of the passing of Craig Tarler of Cornell & Diehl. He passed last night, September 4, 2012 at the age of 82.
Cornell & Diehl released the following this morning:
For the past twenty three years Craig and his partner and love of his life Patty devoted themselves to their family and his great passion, pipe tobacco and pipe smokers. Craig found pipe smokers to be among the most interesting of the people he met during his rich and full life and years of traveling the world. His genuine love of people and friendly, outgoing and larger than life personality was evident to all who came in contact with him, whether by phone or in person. On many occasions visitors would come by to visit at Cornell & Diehl and all had the same reaction, that they felt they already knew Craig and Patty from getting to know them on the phone and felt they were visiting with an old friend on their first face to face meeting.
While Craig will certainly be missed by all whose lives he touched he wouldn’t want us to be saddened by his leaving. He viewed life as a wonderful adventure, meant to be savored and experienced to the fullest and shared with others. Selfishness was a foreign concept to Craig; he gave fully and freely of himself to all he came in contact with and would wish to be remembered with a smile and a heart full of good will for others. Though our world here on earth is a bit darker, we should all be heartened by the knowledge Heaven is a bit brighter, lit by Craig’s rogueish, joyful smile and his booming voice announcing his arrival with the words, "Oh, what fun!"
We wish to express our deepest condolences to the Tarler family; Craig’s wife, Patty, and his children, Sally, Pam and Chris.
Written by Kevin Godbee
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Welcome to The Pipes Magazine Radio Show Episode 634! Our featured interview on tonight’s show is with Warren Ertle. Warren is an extremely accomplished musician with a PhD in music. He started early as a percussionist in sixth grade. Later his grandmother got him a cheap Casio keyboard which he taught himself to play. He started playing in blues bands in high school, and has been a pianist with jazz big bands for years. Even though he was already a professional musician, he took his first real piano lesson when he enrolled in college with his studies in classical music. He is of course a pipe smoker. At the top of the show we will have an Ask the Tobacco Blender segment with Jeremy Reeves. Jeremy is the Head Blender at Cornell & Diehl, which is one of the most popular boutique pipe tobacco companies in the USA.
Soon now, supposedly, our neighborhoods will shift from grinning pumpkins, skeletons in various assortments, and zombies dashing about to pretty reindeer, angels, and flashing lights illuminating homes with sparkling stars and laughing, scurrying Santas. But, lest we forget, there is the turkey season, fancy pie aromas wafting from kitchens, and a national pardon of a big Tom Turkey. Remember, now, that only one of these holiday personalities is a pipe smoker. And that is the hefty, bearded fellow in a bright red suit sitting in a sleigh with a herd of deer hitched up and ready to streak across the globe, bringing tidings of joy and many presents. Ok, the scene is set for the next couple of months, right? So, before we get too far off the beaten path, let’s just take a deep breath of fresh autumn air, shall we? Ahh. That’s better, isn’t it? What’s got the Pundit in a snit is not all the Halloween spooks who came a-jostling for candy. Or the wild turkeys gobbling in the backwoods or all the fuss and feathers over the big one—Christmas. No, it is that we might need to take note of all the little things that mean so much to us. Like a good sunrise (seriously, Pundit has not gone all Pollyanna.) Mayhaps we need to appreciate more of what we have than what we have not. Or something like that. Like, a good pipe in the morning with coffee as the dawn brings us coolish weather now that we have flipped the calendar to autumn. But it also brings beautiful leaves that have become a spectacle of technicolor in the wind. It is the little things. The rereading of an enjoyable book and finding something you did not see or learn in the first go-round. Or a stunning phrase you commit to memory with the re-read, while smoking that favorite pipe. And you notice a superior puff that just seems to be different. It’s in the air and the seasons of meaningful little things. It’s aromatic! Or perhaps it is that sense of satisfaction knowing and appreciating you made it to another day. With the world in a kind of rinse-and-repeat history, reminiscent of a Shakespearean play, it is perhaps a good moment to remember some of Pipedom’s philosophers whose cogent thoughts brought light to clear a path in the mists of confusion and confounding opinions. Ok. No gloom and doom. Just some down-home thoughts. Think of times in the past when history was running off the rails. It took our pipe-smoking thinkers (the mind workers of the world) to speak of better pathways to more light. Think for a moment, with a pipe in hand, these wizards of the world and word: Albert Einstein, J. R.R. Tolkien, Mark Twain, Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, Edwin Hubble, Bertrand Russell, C. S. Lewis, and Jean-Paul Sartre. All learned and enlightened. They offered wisdom instead of storms of meaningless roads to nowhere. All while smoking their pipes! Maybe especially with the help of their pipes in the art of thinking and philosophy. Recall the words of Mr. E=MC2 when he said, “I believe that pipe smoking contributes to a somewhat calm and objective judgment in all human affairs.” Amen and amen! Dealing with world-rattling events takes a calm and objective view of things, to the Pundit’s way of summing it up. You just don’t go messing around with quantum physics without a calm and objective approach, methinks. Or as the extraordinary physicist Robert Oppenheimer said after he and a team in the Manhattan Project at Los Alamos Labs developed a way to split atoms into bombs during World War II. “I am become Death, the destroyer of worlds,” said Oppenheimer referring to the development of the first nuclear bombs dropped on Japan. It must be pointed out that Oppenheimer was more of a cigarette smoker than a pipe smoker. Nonetheless, pipes were part of his personality. 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A fact is not a truth until you love it—Shelby Foote. A parting thought: It is said that famed Southern author William Faulkner carried a packed pipe in a coat pocket wherever he went. That’s one effective way to deal with workday conflicts and confusion. A calm and objective judgment in our everyday human affairs, as the quantum man said.
Welcome to The Pipes Magazine Radio Show Episode 633. Our featured guest tonight is Jon David Cole. JD is the Owner/Tobacconist at The Country Squire in Jackson, MS, and the accompanying online store. We’ll have JD and Brian talking about what’s new at the store and in the business in general. At the top of the show, Brian will discuss tobacco growing, what happens to the leaf, and provide updated information on where tobacco is being gown today. Tobacco production originated in the United States and we were once the #1 producer. It’s quite different now.
Well there’s nothing like a touch of the plague to usher in the changing season. Leaving the airport just when the first advertisements for all things pumpkin spice began to appear—lattes, muffins, shampoos, trash bags, and myriad other concoctions—so, too, my ability to breathe freely disappeared. The unfortunate side effect of losing one’s sense of taste and smell for weeks is the utter inability to enjoy tobacco. Not that I consider myself an expert on anything but my own tastes, but be forewarned that this review was made with mildly impugned sensory equipment. Just when a comforting pipe was most needed, its comfort was denied. Be that as it may, the road to recovery found me limping along on one lung this past month, trying to wrest the particulars of two blends on offer from Sutliff: the latest 175th Anniversary blend, Silver Quarter, as well as their spooky seasonal Maple Shadows II. Silver Quarter is a new style on offer from Sutliff, their first coin-cut blend. 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The tin notes are, forgive the pun, on the nose for a good VaPer blend: mild tart sweetness peeking out from behind dried hay and slight chocolate undertones, with a lightly tannic finish of weathered oak. It is always a joy to prepare a coin cut, my preference being to put a few in my palm and vigorously warm my hands together to fully break them apart. These well-formed discs pack and light easily, and smoke with little prodding to the end of the bowl. For technical points it scores well—it smokes light, and it’s easy to tend the ember. While it gets sharp after a few quick bowls, pacing should be heeded to easily smoke down to the heel without inviting bite. Of the flavor, though, I am left a bit wanting. There are tart and high notes aplenty, but very little of the lemony citrus I would anticipate, as well as scant midtones; they tend more toward the red wine-vinegary and sour. 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Very sorry to hear of Craig’s passing. Patty my thoughts and prayers are with you and your children. I met Craig while I was President of Sparta Industries and Mastercraft Pipes in Sparta, NC. Craig’s passing leaves a giant void in our industry.
I first met Craig and Patty in 1998 when I was just starting out. Craig was always the go-to guy when I wanted to create unique blends for Penn Valley Pipes. We never met face to face, but our frequent interactions over the phone made me feel as though Craig and Patty were not only mentors, but my good pals. Patty, my thoughts and prayers are with you. Craig, I know you’ll have a heavenly blend waiting for all you’re loyal followers when we meet again. Rest well my friend.
My condolences to family, friends and associates in the pipe tobacco industry. Truly, the pipe smoking community has lost a great friend, advocate and contributing talent.
He was so helpful when I called to discuss various tobaccos. So sorry, you are in our thoughts and prayers.
With the full respect say goodbye to our friend. Perhaps now you will be smoking heavenly cigars.
My condolences to his family. He made some great blends.
Very sorry to hear this. My condolences.
Sad news indeed. Craig was the ultimate sales person, intelligent marketing guru, and a friend to everyone that he met. But most of all he was a true gentleman in every sense of the word. My heartfelt sorrow goes out to his wonderful family. He is a legend in the pipe tobacco community.
Andy C.
RIP Craig…you’ll be missed.
I had the pleasure of meeting the Tarlers and toured their plant once. Fine folks. My condolences to the family. He will be missed by many.
The press release couldn’t be more correct. The first time I spoke with Craig back in early 1995 we talked and I felt like I was talking to a friend. He was exuberant about his tobaccos and his business. More than anything you felt he honestly wanted to take care of his customers. I guess I could go on and on about conversations over the years but needless to say we’ve lost a fine man.
My sincere prayers for his family and their loss.
A sad loss. My most sincere condolences to all those close to him x
My prayers go with you – Patty, Sally, Pam and Chris.
Peace of the Lord be with you.
What agreat loss,my condolences go out to Patty,& the family, the pipe community as lost a true gentleman, R.I.P Craig.
My condolences sorry to hear about Craig Tarler
My condolences to the entire Tarler family. The entire pipe community mourns the loss of a great creative soul who has given so much pleasure to so many of us.
My prayers go out that Patty, Sally, Pam and Chris may find strength and comfort in the realization that Craig is now in a better place, undoubtedly enjoying a bowl of his latest creation. And one day, may we join him there and blow smoke rings in everlasting joy.
Oh no. My heart goes out to Patty and family. Rest well old friend.
I first met the Tarlers some years back at the Chicago Pipe Show, and always visit their table.
I live on Star of the East, with the occasional bowl of Pirate Kake.
Wonderful people. I will miss Craig.
My love of the pipe was truly enhanced by our relationship. The experience of working on tobacco blends and visiting with Craig shall always remain a very special part of my life. He touched all those who knew him in a very special way that was a Blessing and so much fun. He will be missed by all who knew him. I have no doubt that the tradition he began will continue with Chris following in his footsteps. My prayers go out to his wonderful wife Patty, daughter Sally, daughter Pam and her husband Bob Hayes and his son, Chris, who has some big shoes to fill and I know he will!
1Thessalonians 4:13-18
My heartfelt prayers go out to Patty & family. What tribute to the memory of a fine man who has obviously positively touched the lifes of so many people. RIP Craig.
Seems like a real gentleman … RIP
A sad day for the pipe smoking community. Deepest sympathies to his family & friends.
Mr. Craig Tarler, Pipe Blender Extraordinaire. My condolences to his wife Patty and the entire Family at Cornell and Diehl.
I met Craig and Party at the Richmond pipe show a long time ago. I remember it to this day. My condolences
I only knew Mr. Tarler through his blends that I have smoked and loved but it seems that we have lost a genius from the pipe community. The Tarler family is in my thoughts and prayers. This bowl of Three Friars is for you, Mr. Tarler. Pipes up, ladies and gentlemen.
Craig Tarler started me on the road to enjoyable pipe smoking. I will miss him. RIP Craig. My condolences to his loved ones.
What sad news to hear. Prayers for his family and friends.
Craig was a wonderful man, warm, friendly, approachable and kind. Our community will miss him. My condolences go out to Patty and the Tarler family as well as the employees of C&D.
I, too, share the sadness expressed by others.
The wonderful blends Craig created for our world-wide community will continue to be a living tribute to his passion to add to our smoking joy. His wacky tin-art and over-the-top blend names will always remind me of his humor.
I wonder what wonderful mixtures will await us when we join him again.
This is indeed a very tragic loss to the pipe smoking community, my thoughts and deepest condolences are with the family.
My love of the pipe was truly enhanced by our relationship. The experience of working on tobacco blends and visiting with Craig shall always remain a very special part of my life. He touched all those who knew him in a very special way that was a Blessing and so much fun. He will be missed by all who knew him. I have no doubt that the tradition he began will continue with Chris following in his footsteps. My prayers go out to his wonderful wife Patty, daughter Sally, daughter Pam and her husband Bob Hayes and his son, Chris, who has some big shoes to fill and I know he will!
One of the reasons I looked foward to the CORPS Show in Richmond was to converse with him and the group. I feel as if my stomach has been pulled out and put back in. Prayers going out to his family and the staff at C&D..I’ll miss him saying, “Try this..it’ll be fun”….
A major loss to the pipe smoking community…RIP in Mr.T…
A very sad day for the Tarler family and all the extended family of brothers and sisters in the community. A loss to not only his family and the whole community, but I think the world has lost a truly great man.