Dorwin Dale Blair

Dorwin Dale Blair, age 89, passed away peacefully on Wednesday, January 3, 2024

Dorwin was born in Steele City, NE on November 29, 1934.

He graduated from Cozad High School in 1953 where he was a Haymaker letterman in football, basketball and track. Dorwin then attended the University of Nebraska and Colorado State University at Greeley. He met his wife to be in college, Ruth Poole from Sterling Colorado.

He joined the Marines in 1957 as an Aviation Officer Candidate. After six years as a Helicopter pilot, he was retrained in jets and finished his service career as a ground-support pilot. He was eligible for his Majority before his service separation.

He was in Vietnam from July 1962 to January 1963 and was awarded several air medals, given for meritorious flight in combat, and logged some four-hundred hours of combat flight. His helicopter was under continuous fire and received serious hits on several occasions. Other medals he received included: Air Medals with one silver star, Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal and National Defense Service Medal.

In 1966 he started his career as a pilot for American Airlines and moved to the Chicago area with his wife, Ruth and 2 daughters, Kathryn and Charla.

Dorwin enjoyed hunting, camping, fishing, bike riding and spending time with his family and friends.

Dorwin is survived by his loving daughter, Charla (Quintin) Carlsen (nee Blair); cherished grandchildren, Caitlyn (Bryan) Lloyd, Jessalyn (Jacob) Schoff, great grandson, Ryker T. Lloyd and his sister, Sharon (Edward) Green.

Preceded in death by his beloved wife of 56 years, Ruth Blair, parents Lowell and Eunice Blair and daughter Kathryn Blair.

In lieu of flowers, donations in Dorwin's name may be made to: Rails to Trails and McHenry County Bicycle Advocates or USMC Shufly Helicopter Flight Association (a non-profit organization to restore a U.S. Marine Corps Sikorsky H-34 Helicopter flown in Operation Shufly in the Vietnam War and has over 100 combat patches). Donations can be sent to PO Box 343, Keenesburg, CO 80643 to help restore this helicopter.