Saratoga Springs - Walter Robert Blair, beloved husband, father, Poppi, Dean of Men, Coach and mentor to many, passed away in Saratoga Springs, NY on December 26th 2021.  He was 97.

The oldest of three sons of William T Blair II and Elsie Fried Blair, Walter was born on August 18, 1924 in Philadelphia, PA. He was an outstanding three sport high school athlete, lettering in football, basketball and baseball and was presented with "Honor Man" of his class of 1943, and inducted to the Northeast High School, Philadelphia, PA's Wall of Fame.

In 1943, Walt enrolled at Temple University on a full athletic scholarship. That same year, his education was interrupted when he was inducted into the US Army.  During his training at Camp Polk, he received the Honorary Doughboy Award.  He played baseball and football on the Camp Polk teams as well as the A.I.B. Baseball squad for the duration of the war.  He was assigned to the Eighth Armored Division, 49th Armored Infantry Battalion, The Thundering Herd, and was committed to combat as a platoon leader in the European Theatre. His unit participated in the Battle of the Bulge and was present at Buchenwald when the allies declared Victory.   At the war's end, coinciding with an effort to recognize the contribution made by the US Infantry in World War II, Camp Polk awarded him with an outstanding US Infantryman Award.

In September 1946, Walter returned to complete his college education at West Chester University, West Chester, PA.  Recruited by the legendary football coach W. Glenn Killinger, Walt played varsity football and performed in three post season bowl games seeing action on both the offensive line and in the back field.  In addition to varsity football, Walt played on the Varsity baseball team as catcher and in 1949 as the starting first baseman.  He went on to receive a Bachelor of Science degree in Health and Physical education from West Chester University and a master's degree in education from Temple University.

Following college, he held several coaching positions in the Philadelphia area:   Assistant Football Coach, Head Baseball and Basketball Coach at Neshaminy High School;   Head Football and Baseball Coach, Athletic Director and  Chairman of the Department of Health and Physical Education, at Jenkintown High School.

He left Philadelphia in 1954 to become the District Director of the Physical Education Program at Chambersburg High School, Chambersburg, PA.  It was a short stint at Chambersburg as he was recruited the following year by Bloomsburg University, Bloomsburg, PA.  While at Bloomsburg, 1955-1966, he wore many hats-  Dean of Men,  Director of Athletics, Head Football and Baseball Coach,  Chairman of the Health and Physical Education Department,  all while teaching as an Associate Professor in Physical and Biological Sciences, Psychology, History and Education.  While at Bloomsburg, he also established their nationally recognized wrestling program, coaching the team during the first two years.

Walt left Bloomsburg University in 1966 to join the faculty at West Chester University, West Chester, PA.  There he took on the role of Associate Dean of Education and was the founder and director of the WCU Career Development Center.  Subsequently, he was awarded the lifetime status of Professor Emeritus.

His awards and recognitions are too numerous to mention, but the two that were most important to him were, induction into the W. Glenn Killinger West Chester University PA Football Hall of Fame, 1991 and the Walt Blair Endowed Football Scholarship at Bloomsburg University.  The scholarship was created through the efforts of the members of his 1955-1963 football teams.  This scholarship is still active today enabling financial support to talented young athletes.

At the age of 95, Walter was still teaching and sharing his WWII experiences as a docent at the New York State Military Museum.

Walter touched many lives and he was able to see and experience the numerous ways he made a difference. He often mused that he never worked a day in his life.  To his family he was simply it's North Star.

Walter is predeceased by his beloved wife of 67 years, Gloria Blechschmidt Blair.  He is survived by Five Daughters: Debra A Blair (J Richard deBart, Jr), Lakeville, CT;  Donna Blair Adams (Ronald Adams), West Chester, PA;  Justine Blair Carroll, Saratoga, NY;  Janet Blair Franco (Benjamin P Franco), Saratoga, NY; and Allison L Blair, Santa Fe, NM.   Seven Grandchildren: Valerie Centanzo, Hayden G. Carroll, Ashton R. Adams,  J.R. deBart III,  W. Blair deBart,  Isabelle L. Franco,  Alexander B. Franco.  Four Great Grandchildren: Ava Centanzo, Evan Centanzo,  Nina Carroll, and Addison Carroll and Two Brothers: Donald L Blair and Kenneth A Blair.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to:

The Walt Blair Football Scholarship,

c/o The Bloomburg University Foundation

50 Main Street  4th Floor

Bloomsburg, PA 17815

There will be a private funeral service and burial with military honors at the convenience of the family.

A Celebration of Life will be held 1PM Friday 13, 2022 at Longfellows, 500 Union Avenue, Saratoga Springs, NY.