Joseph Bernard Blair, 44, formerly of Ada, MN, passed away September 5, 2010, in Saginaw, Michigan, as a result of an automobile accident.

Joe was born January 9, 1966, in Brainerd, Minnesota, the son of Rachel and Rolland Blair. He grew up in Ada and attended Ada High School where he was a member of the National Honor Society in grades 10-12, and graduated as Valedictorian with the Class of 1984. Joe went on to receive several educational degrees including a Bachelor of Science in Chemistry (minor in mathematics) from Moorhead State University, Moorhead, MN, in 1989; a Bachelor of Science of Pharmacy from North Dakota State University in Fargo, ND, in 1992; Registered Pharmacist from the State of North Dakota in 1992; a Ph.D. in Medicinal Chemistry from Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN, in 1997, where he was also inducted into the Rho Chi Pharmacy Honor Society.

His professional experience included working in research as a technician for American Crystal Sugar Research Center in Moorhead, MN; a Fellow with the Summer Research Fellowship, NDSU Dept. of Polymers and Coatings, Fargo, ND; an assistant with NDSU College of Pharmacy, Fargo, ND; an assistant with the Department of Medicinal Chemistry Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN, where he was also chosen to receive the Summer Research Fellowship Award; a consultant scientist with the Government Pharmaceutical Organization, Bangkok, Thailand; did research work on treatments of AIDS and other viral infection at Wake Forest University, Winston-Salem, NC; and a Postdoctoral Fellow Radiotracer Chemist with Internal Medicine/Nuclear Medicine Cyclotron/ P.E.T. Facility, University of Michigan Medicinal School, Ann Arbor, MI. Joe was the 1990 recipient of the Ronald E. McNair Post Baccalaureate Achievement Award while attending NDSU. While attending Purdue University, Joe was a teaching assistant with the Department of Medicinal Chemistry and Molecular Pharmacology and was chosen in 1995 to receive the Keinly Award for the "Most Outstanding Teaching Assistant of the Year." Joe also worked as an Instructor of Radiology at Wake Forest University in Winston-Salem, NC. Also in 1995, Joe was a part of the Foreign Student Exchange Program in which he attended Khon Kaen University, Khon Kaen, Thailand. Part of this program included excursions into the rainforests of Thailand to examine plant species for their medicinal uses and visits to hill tribe communities and to traditional Thai healers (Medicine Men). Joe was a member of the American Chemical Society, ACS division of Medicinal Chemistry and the Serotonin Club. He had numerous papers published in periodicals such as the Journal of Medicinal Chemistry, Society of Nuclear Medicine Abstract, Society of Neuroscience Abstract and a U.S. Patent Application for the Botanical Combinations for the Treatment of AIDS, TB, Fungal and Viral Infections. He was currently employed by Triade Isotopes in Saginaw, Michigan, where he thoroughly loved his work and had just received a promotion to pharmacology manager.

Joe loved life and lived every moment to the fullest. In high school, he earned the nickname "PacMan" from his prowess at playing the popular arcade game. It was often said that he could "play all day on one quarter." He was also quite adept at the Rubik's Cube! To help with college expenses, Joe worked at Skateland in Fargo and was very talented on his skates! Being fluent in the Thai language helped him immensely with his numerous visits to Thailand and China. Throughout his life he enjoyed riding motorcycles and owned many from his Rupp 80 in junior high school to his Harley Davidsons, later in his adulthood, attending the Sturgis Bike Rally in South Dakota on a few occasions. Music was also one of Joe's loves, playing keyboards in a high school band, "Alliance," at Purdue with the band, "Barnacle Spore." Joe was a kind and loving soul who was a dedicated friend, son and brother. He was an adoring father, spending as much time with his kids as possible. They were the joy in his life.

Joe is survived by his mother, Rachel Blair, Halstad, MN; three children: Tiffany Heille, Fargo, ND; Shane Blair, St. Louis, MO; and Nawin Wave Blair, Saginaw, MI; one granddaughter, Ronahy Heille, Fargo, ND; seven brothers and sisters: William (Jen) Blair, Menominee, MI; Keith Blair; Barb "Bear" Keeney; Judy (Doug) Burkett, West Fargo, ND, Robert (LeeAnn) Blair, Ada, MN, Karen (Kenneth) Anderson, Ada, MN, and Shiloe Blair, Kindred, ND; nine nieces and nephews. Joe was preceded in death by his father, Rolland Blair; and his brother, Timothy "Ernie" Blair.

A memorial service was held at 1:00 p.m., Friday, October 8, 2010, at Faith United Church in Ada. The officiant was Pastor Grant Speece. Special music was provided by Jessica and Lindsay Blair and the soloist was Shelby Anderson. Jessica Blair provided a special arrangement of "Hallelujah" that was performed by Bill Blair, Lindsay Blair, Jessica Blair, Franky Anderson, Jacob Anderson and Shelby Anderson with a special message given by Shane Blair.

Inurnment was at Ada Cemetery.