Frederick Duane Blume

Frederick Duane Blume, 88, of Vallejo, CA, passed away at home surrounded by his family on February 24, 2022. He was born in Mishawaka, Indiana on August 27, 1933, the only child of Frederick Keiser and Simone Sylvia (Watson) Blume. He is survived by his wife of 66 years, Doris J. Blume. They were married on September 1, 1955 in Michigan City, Indiana. He leaves nine children and their spouses, Michael (Janet) Blume, Patricia (Gary) Giuffrida, Robert (Flo) Blume, Matthew (Pamela) Blume, Andrew Blume, Anthony Blume, Kathleen (Kenneth) Ceglia, Timothy Blume, Christopher Blume; 14 grandchildren; and 6 great grandchildren. Duane graduated from Mishawaka High School in 1951. He received a B.A. from Wabash College in Indiana in 1955. In 1964, he was awarded a Ph.D. in Physiology from the University of California, Berkeley. He became the Assistant Director and resident scientist at the White Mountain Research Station in Bishop, California from 1964 to 1972. During that period, he served on the Bishop Elementary School Board, helped start the Inyo County Mental Health Association, and introduced University of California Extension courses for residents. In 1971, he served as the Oxygen Officer on the International Himalayan Expedition to Mount Everest. He directed the development of a portable oxygen system, in collaboration with Dr. Nello Pace and the Robertshaw Control Company, allowing two climbers to stay 21 days above 23,000 ft on Mount Everest. In 1972, he was selected to be the Chairman of the Department of Biology at California State University, Bakersfield. During his 28-year tenure, he served as Department Chair, the faculty representative on the Foundation Board, and was active for many years in the Academic Senate including two terms as Chair. In 1981, he was the Deputy Leader in charge of Finance and Logistics of the American Medical Research Expedition to Everest. In 1987, he led the Himalayan-Andean Research Expedition, which compared the physiological features of the Sherpa and Quechua. In 1993, his grant proposal for the development of a vaccine against “Valley Fever” was funded by the California Healthcare Foundation. He served as Director of the Valley Fever Project for two years until his retirement in 2000. He and Doris returned to Bishop to enjoy their retirement years. Duane became active in several community activities serving on the Inyo County Mental Health Advisory Board, the Inyo Mono Area Agency on Aging Advisory Council, and on the local Advisory Board of the Salvation Army. He was an active member of Our Lady of Perpetual Help Catholic Church and the Msgr. Maloney Council 8628, Knights of Columbus. In 2018, Duane and Doris moved to the Cogir Independent Living Residence, Vallejo, California, to be nearer to immediate family. A Memorial Mass will be at St. Catherine of Siena, Catholic Church, Vallejo, CA on March 7th at 11:30 am. He will be laid to rest at East Line Cemetery, Bishop, CA. Donations can be made to St. Vincent DePaul of Bishop, CA. (svdpbishop.org) or charity of your choice in his memory.

Frederick Duane Blume

August 27, 1933 - February 24, 2022