Lewis George Bloom

Lewis was born January 9, 1912, to Lester and Mary (Foster) Bloom near Oneida, South Dakota. They were farmers and the children attended country schools until they moved to Pierre. Lewis was the first of his family to attend college, graduating in 1936 from Huron University, working his way through school, and starting his career of teaching and coaching at Vienna and Britton, South Dakota. He enjoyed teaching and was a very successful coach and a good influence on the boys and girls. These students all asked him to come back for their classes' fiftieth reunions, and still called him "Coach Bloom" when they were grandparents themselves. Marnie Noel graduated from Huron in 1937, and they were married in '38. They lived in Britton and Yankton, South Dakota, and then in Rosalia, Washington, where Lewie was Principal. They moved to Endicott, where he was Superintendent for five years, and then to Palouse, where he was Superintendent for eight years, before moving to Kennewick, where he served as junior high counsellor. Again his ability to relate to young people and help them with their problems made a difference in their attitude toward school and the kids had him change his sign from "Boys Counselor" to "Counselor" so everyone could go to him. His organizational ability was appreciated by the teachers and they elected him to the Washington State Board of Directors of the NEA. In 1961 he was called to Olympia by the Washington Superintendent of Schools to head up the new Gifted Child Program, and later to be in charge of state-wide school bus transportation. He authored several manuals related to his work; the last one on how to grow and show dahlias, which became his principle avocation for more than 30 years. It lead him and his wife to travel all over the world. He originated more than 25 new dahlias that were recognized in the national registry as being prize winners, including one that was named Centennial, the top scoring flower in the USA in 1989. His other interests included playing cards, especially Bridge; politics and history; and all sports. He ran hundreds of miles, 550 of them on the balcony track at the YMCA that he talked them into building.Besides his beloved wife Marnie, he is survived by three daughters, Dr. Camilla Ashley, Oak Park, Illinois; Sylvia Hunley, Deer Park, Wash.; and Valerie Hervey, Corvallis, Oregon; five grandchildren, and four great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his parents; three sisters; and four brothers. At Lewie's request, there will be no funeral, only a small private gathering when his ashes are scattered in a favorite, peaceful spot.