During the last two years of his veterinary career, Black gained popularity through public speaking with over 250 appearances.

He resided in Benson, Arizona, with his wife, Cindy Lou, where they had no cell phone, television, or fax machine.

One of his philosophies of life claims: "In spite of all the computerized, digitalized, high-tech innovations of today, there will always be a need for a cowboy."

His son-in-law explained, however, that the hospice consisted of a home health care worker checking on Black every few days because of various medical issues.

It was a huge deal in Colorado (where I lived) and the sky smelled like smoke and I had this big tumultuous poem about range fire...