Donald J. Blair, engineer and professor
Donald James Blair, founder of BAI Engineering and a former professor of engineering at the University of Maryland, died Thursday of congestive heart failure at Gilchrist Center Towson. The Catonsville resident was 82.
He was born in Des Moines, Iowa, and raised in East Peoria, Ill., the son of Rush Blair, a businessman, and Lucy Blair, a homemaker.
He graduated from public schools in East Peoria, then obtained a bachelor’s degree in 1955 from Bradley University in Peoria.
After serving in the Army from 1955 to 1958, he received a master’s degree in nuclear engineering from the University of Florida, and a doctorate in nuclear engineering from the University of Maryland, College Park.
Dr. Blair was a member of the engineering faculty at the University of Maryland from 1969 to 1980, then worked as a senior engineer for several large aerospace and defense contractors before founding BAI Engineering in 1995. The company served as a contractor providing specialized engineering services to U.S. intelligence agencies. He closed the firm and retired in 2008.
The former Arbutus resident, who moved to Charlestown Retirement Community two years ago, enjoyed working on home improvement projects, wildlife, photography, traveling and Bible study. He also liked reading technical books.
He was a member of Arbutus United Methodist Church, where a celebration of life was held Monday.
He is survived by his wife of 55 years, the former Patricia Wallace; two sons, David J. Blair of Catonsville and Donald S. Blair of Tampa, Fla.; a daughter, Elizabeth “Beth” Blair of Catonsville; a brother, David Blair of Peoria; and six grandchildren.