The Bender family formally of 18th St. SE, Cedar Rapids are sorry to read of

Louis's death, but what an interesting and long life he has led. I baby sat with you children when you lilved on 7th Ave. SE in Cedar Rapids, just down the alley from my parents home. And you played with my sister Connie, and brothers Bob and Jerry. I believe my sister Joann and/or Sarah also baby sat you kids. Connie passed away in May 2010 after 15 years of fighting cancer. Brave gal and I miss her terribly. Mom lived to be 97 and dad only 80. Now I am 80 and slowing down also. I have 2 children, 7 grandchildren and so far 8 great grandchidren. I spend time at our local Genealogical Society of Linn Co. as a volunteer and dearly love working there and helping others look for information on their family history. I have written 4 books on our family and have 2 more to write. Best to all of your families.

Charlene Bender Hansen

I remember Louis Blair for his wonderful way of recognizing every employee of St. Lukes with a smile and kind words. It was especially meaningful when he would come each Sunday to the hospital and go to each unit to say hello and ask how we were doing and then leave with a pleasant good wish for the day. All the staff loved Mr. blair.

I only knew Lou during the last decade of his life, but it is fair to say that I consider him my role model. I am fortunate to be one of his succesors at St. Luke's and it is clear that his legacy lives on here. St. Luke's is one of the best hospitals in the country, not because of anything I've done, but because of what he started. It wins award after award, national recognition on almost a monthly basis, and continues as a leading light for health care in our community. It does that because of the way I believe he led this organization for so long. He had integrity, intellect and a driving passion to see healthcare done better tomorrow than it is today. He was in his nineties when I arrived here in 2002 and graciously reached out to welcome me to the community. Then he sent me his latest paper on how to reform our national health care system. I was amazed he even still cared, but he did and the paper is one that clearly and thoughtfully predicts where this country needs to go if it wants a sustainable high quality system of care. His never ending drive and concern for his fellow human beings is something I can only hope to emulate. He will be missed.

I will miss a great pal for whom I have the highest respect and admiration.

I am very proud and honored to have had the opportunity to care for both Lou and Ernestine. They were both wonderful people and will be missed by many. Even though I never had the chance to know either in their earlier years I am so glad to have known them in their later years and have some wonderful memories to look back on. Through them I got to meet all the Blair family and would like you all to know your thoughts are with me and God bless all of you.

Christie Miller

Hello Alice, Mary, John, Ginny, Yasmina, and extended family,

My Grandparents, Dwight and Ruth Stevens were long time friends with Louis and Ernestine, dating from Cincinnati days. My parents are Dick and Mary Young who live in Ames. When we moved to Ames in 1970 we got acquainted with Alice's family. I remember visiting your parents in Cedar Rapids with my Grandmother and Mom probably in the late 70s. I enjoyed a very good apple pie and remember questioning Ernestine how she got the crust so flakey. She said that she added a pinch of baking soda.

Mostly my memories are the fond reports and stories associated with the Blairs and the group of close friends my Grandparents found in the Methodist Church in Cincinnati.

No one could begrudge Lou's death after a good 102 years. My you find joy in celebrating his life.

Thinking of you,

Holly and Chuck Kellogg

Just a word of thanks and praise. My late husband Jack and I, as well as many physician friends always thought the world of Lou Blair. Integrity and vision were his ever-present qualities. He has been absent from CR a long time - still, it is sad to think he is no longer living. What a remarkable man, citizen, and public servant!

I was fortunate enough to meet Lou and Ernestine when they moved to through Ginny, their daughter and my fantastic plumber and friend. I felt immediately welcome in their company and loved hearing their stories. And it turned out that Lou was the hospital administrator at St. Luke's Hospital when I was born and had signed my birth certificate. Lou lived a long and full life and made a difference in so many lives.

When I was a young girl, I was an over night guest in the Blair's home as Mary and I had become friends at camp Hitaga that summer.

I recall waking up in the morning, and standing around the dining room table, waiting for breakfast that was being prepared by Mrs. Blair, and asking if there was something I could do to help. Mr. Blair said I could make the toast, but

"be sure and butter the toast on the right side." and then proceeded to laugh heartily at my open eyed response,. Mary popped up immediately and told me her dad was quite a joker.....

I recall all the love and warmth that was felt in that dining room with the family members present and wanted to share this thought, even though a small recollection, as that stayed with me all my life. When opening up the DM Register and seeing this obituary, I recalled once again that ":warm feeling" from your dad and family.

You have my sincere sympathy.

I first met Lou when I was a Freshman at Coe College in 1948. At that time, I attended some of the classes he taught in his church. Howver, my closest experience with Lou was when I served part of my Administrative Residency in Hospital Administration with him in 1957. That was my first practical learning experience in my chosen field and I was blessed to have Lou provide the guidance I needed to start my career. My condolences are extended to his family. Don Tracey, Tucson, AZ.

Lou Blair and I met when I worked on the opinion page at The Gazette, and we connected even closer when he sent me a very personal message on the death of my father in 1998. And that illustrates what a kind and decent man he was--reaching out to others. It should be said, however, that I appreciated his carefully written and thought-provoking guest columns on health care reform.