Normand (Norm) Conrad Blais, 87 died in Albuquerque on April 27, due to complications from pneumonia and dementia. Normand was an only child, born on Jan. 4, 1926, in Springfield, MA to Joseph and Rosina Blais. Norm served in the U.S. Army with the 1269th Combat Engineering Battalion as a T4 from 1943 to 1946. Serving in the European Theater, he received the American Campaign Medal, the EAME Medal, Good Conduct Medal, and WWI Victory Medal. Norm was honorably discharged in Feb. 1946. Following his service, Norm received his Bachelors of Science from Union College and his Doctorate from Yale in the field of Physics. As a student, Norm received a National Science Foundation Graduate Fellowship in 1954. From 1956 until his retirement in 1991, Norm worked at the Los Alamos National Laboratory. His work was pioneering in many areas, including the first ever computer simulation of a real experiment in chemical dynamics in 1962. This was 28 years before computer simulation became the fastest growing field of theoretical chemistry. Norm was a highly collaborative scientist and published and presented nearly 90 papers and articles in prestigious publications such as the Journal of Chemical Physics, Journal of Astrophysics, Journal of Energetic Materials, the Journal of Physical Chemistry, and various scientific symposiums and conferences. He was a member of the American Chemical Society. Norm continued to work at the Laboratory under the visiting scientist program until he was 75. Norm enjoyed the outdoors either hiking, cross country skiing, or camping with his sons. Norm built two telescopes, and enjoyed exploring the stars. Norm and his wife built a cabin near the Brazos River, where they enjoyed the mild summers. Norm loved to tinker and repair things. Norm is survived by his wife of 62 years, Carmelina (Carmy), who resides at La Vida Llena in Albuquerque; and his 3 children: Ellen Louise Gibson and husband Rex of Wiggins, Colo.; Mark Joseph Blais and wife Benita of Albuquerque; and Neil Curtis Blais and wife Destin of Little Elm, Texas. He has 3 grand children: Crystal and Brian Gibson; and Nash Blais (Neil's son). Per Norm's request, he is being cremated and being placed privately with only immediate family present and no services. He was a loving husband, terrific father, and loved learning of nature. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that you make a contribution in Normand's name to .
You can to the family or in memory of Normand Blais.
Guestbook