Forrest John Blauer, 61, lost his battle with pancreatic cancer on Jan. 5, 2010, at the VA Medical Center in Salt Lake City, Utah
Forerst was born April 28, 1948, in Denver, Colorado, to John Rodney and Caroline Richards Blauer.
He was especially close to his mother and grandmother and being the oldest of four children he just naturally tried to take care of and protect everyone. He loved spending summers in South Dakota with his grandma and grandpa and later in Portland, Oregon, when they moved there.
When his parents retired from the Army, they settled in River Heights, Utah, where he attended schools in River Heights and Hyrum.
He graduated from Sky View High School and attended Utah State University.
He enlisted in the U.S. Army and served in Vietnam as a "medic".
While serving in Vietnam, in 1969 was severly wounded in combat. (Note: Medic's were "primary targets" of the Viet Cong during battle engagements in Vietnam).
Upon his return to the states and in a body cast, he was personally awarded a Purple Heart, presented to him by General Jimmy Stewart
Due to the severity of his wounds, he was shipped back to the States in a body cast and spent the next six months in Colorado for the recovery of his wounds and "was not" expected to walk again.
Upon his release from the Hospital in Colorado, his wonderful mother would not accept that he "would not" walk again. With lots of love, hard work, and therapy - his Mother was able to get him to walk again.
After recuperating, he went to work in different area hospitals - Logan, Primary Children's and later in California.
It didn't matter what occupation he chose, his friendly, outgoing personality always made him successful.
In 1989, he married Karma Lee Bergquist and became dad to her two young children. Fatherhood was a role he must have been born to do and a lifetime bond of love and caring formed between dad and son and father and daughter. They, in turn, have given him four grandchildren, which he adored.
He was an active member of both the Fraternal Order of Eagles and Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks.
He was a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and held various positions but always enjoyed those where he could make a difference in the lives of the younger generation.
Numerous young men his assitance and guidance with merit badges while earning their Eagle Scout Awards.
He was a people person, everybody loved him.
He had a soft spot especially for children and "little old ladies" while working at the Senior Center in Logan, which was a big highlight for him.
He also worked at Utah State University for years and has fed thousands of students.
He had a loving and happy nature - charitable and giving in all he did.
Footnote: Forerest was the 'first' SkyView High School Class member that I met when I came to Cache Valley (ie. River Heights). I have always been greatful for his kindness, friendship, assistance and the direction he provided to me as a new student.
I honor him not only as as a High School friend and more importantly, as a fellow military Veteran, that put himself in harms way in meeting the needs of those he served in his unit.
Don, thank you for researching the lives and fates of our high school mates. I have been so curious about so many of our friends who are no longer with us. Dan was a unique character and friend whose passing left huge questions. You honor them and all the rest of class through your efforts. Thanks again, Wayne Carlson
Don Pratt
FORERST BLAUER
VIETNAM VETERAN AND PURPLE HEART RECIPIENT
(excerpts from his Obituary)
Forrest John Blauer, 61, lost his battle with pancreatic cancer on Jan. 5, 2010, at the VA Medical Center in Salt Lake City, Utah
Forerst was born April 28, 1948, in Denver, Colorado, to John Rodney and Caroline Richards Blauer.
He was especially close to his mother and grandmother and being the oldest of four children he just naturally tried to take care of and protect everyone. He loved spending summers in South Dakota with his grandma and grandpa and later in Portland, Oregon, when they moved there.
When his parents retired from the Army, they settled in River Heights, Utah, where he attended schools in River Heights and Hyrum.
He graduated from Sky View High School and attended Utah State University.
He enlisted in the U.S. Army and served in Vietnam as a "medic".
While serving in Vietnam, in 1969 was severly wounded in combat. (Note: Medic's were "primary targets" of the Viet Cong during battle engagements in Vietnam).
Upon his return to the states and in a body cast, he was personally awarded a Purple Heart, presented to him by General Jimmy Stewart
Due to the severity of his wounds, he was shipped back to the States in a body cast and spent the next six months in Colorado for the recovery of his wounds and "was not" expected to walk again.
Upon his release from the Hospital in Colorado, his wonderful mother would not accept that he "would not" walk again. With lots of love, hard work, and therapy - his Mother was able to get him to walk again.
After recuperating, he went to work in different area hospitals - Logan, Primary Children's and later in California.
It didn't matter what occupation he chose, his friendly, outgoing personality always made him successful.
In 1989, he married Karma Lee Bergquist and became dad to her two young children. Fatherhood was a role he must have been born to do and a lifetime bond of love and caring formed between dad and son and father and daughter. They, in turn, have given him four grandchildren, which he adored.
He was an active member of both the Fraternal Order of Eagles and Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks.
He was a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and held various positions but always enjoyed those where he could make a difference in the lives of the younger generation.
Numerous young men his assitance and guidance with merit badges while earning their Eagle Scout Awards.
He was a people person, everybody loved him.
He had a soft spot especially for children and "little old ladies" while working at the Senior Center in Logan, which was a big highlight for him.
He also worked at Utah State University for years and has fed thousands of students.
He had a loving and happy nature - charitable and giving in all he did.
He is greatly missed by all those he touched.
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Footnote: Forerest was the 'first' SkyView High School Class member that I met when I came to Cache Valley (ie. River Heights). I have always been greatful for his kindness, friendship, assistance and the direction he provided to me as a new student.
I honor him not only as as a High School friend and more importantly, as a fellow military Veteran, that put himself in harms way in meeting the needs of those he served in his unit.
He is truly a "Hero"!
Don Pratt
Wayne Carlson
Don, thank you for researching the lives and fates of our high school mates. I have been so curious about so many of our friends who are no longer with us. Dan was a unique character and friend whose passing left huge questions. You honor them and all the rest of class through your efforts. Thanks again, Wayne Carlson