On Friday April 8, 2022, Dean passed away peacefully in Victoria at the Sunset Lodge. He was 90 years old. He is predeceased by his wife Mimi and survived by his four children (Jeff, Ed, Bill and Rebecca), eight grandchildren and eleven great-grandchildren.
Dean Blair lived a rich life filled with family, music and teaching. He earned a Bachelor of Music at Stetson University followed by a Masters of Music in Composition from the Eastman School of Music in 1958. Upon graduating, Dean joined the music faculty of Wisconsin State University at Stevens Point. It was there he met and married the love of his life, Mimi.
In 1970, he and the family relocated from Wisconsin to Alberta to accept an associate professor position in music theory and composition at the newly-established University of Lethbridge. Over the next 25 years, Dean dedicated himself to teaching, composing and served as department chairperson for nine years. He was loved by his students and was nominated twice for the University of Lethbridge’s Distinguished Teaching Award. Dean wrote over 200 musical compositions (many on commission) covering nearly all instrumental and vocal media. A composition of his was also performed for Queen Elizabeth during one of her Canadian tours.
In 1995, Dean and Mimi retired to Victoria where they enjoyed walking nature trails, gardening and spending time with their grandchildren. Dean will be remembered for his everlasting humour, kindness and happy spirit. “I’ve lived a good life,” he often stated. He will be dearly missed.
We will be holding a celebration of life for Dean Blair on Saturday, July 16th at 2:00 pm in the Sequoia Centre at McCall Gardens, 4665 Falaise Drive, Victoria, BC. Because Dad’s life was so immersed in teaching and music, we would love to hear from his students and music colleagues.
If you would like to contribute to Dean’s celebration of life, please contact the family through Dean’s email address.
We would welcome:
- Recorded memories (audio or video) about Dean
- Written memories about Dean
- Short In-person performances of Dean’s compositions.
- Recorded performances of Dean’s compositions (audio MP3, video MP4)
We hope to say good-bye to Dean in a way that fully celebrates all aspects of his life.
In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to the Land Trust Alliance of British Columbia https://ltabc.ca/
Condolences may be offered to the family below.
McCall Gardens
www.mccallgardens.com
12 Responses
It was in the early 1970’s that I first met Dean Blair through the University of Lethbridge Music Department. He was a great professor, guiding me through music composition classes in his gentle and subtle manner. Dean had a wonderful sense of humor, and his kind smile was always present. I should never forget how he encouraged my relationship with Elizabeth Blair (no relation), whom I later married. Thank you and God bless you, Dean!
Uncle Dean, as known to us four sons of brother Bill Blair and wife Lillian, elicits only warm memories from us all. Without exception nephews Dave, Rob, Tim and I remember Dean’s laughter, witticisms, and stimulating conversations. Most of all, we have heartfelt recollections of the wonderful couple he and his Mimi were; both are dearly missed.
From my rides astride Dean’s bicycle as a 4-year-old with me squealing excitedly and he shouting with a laugh “no brakes, no brakes!”, to our mid 1960s family Christmastime audio tape recording exchanges of Blair-children recitals between Blair families, to my deep and far reaching ponderings with Uncle Dean as a middle aged adult, he has left a profound and lasting impression not just on me but most certainly on all those having the privilege to know him.