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Edwin Blitch Obituary

Edwin L. Blitch, III CHARLESTON - Edwin Leo Blitch III, of Charleston, South Carolina, died surrounded by family, Thursday, December 27, 2012, at Trident Medical Center after a long battle with kidney and heart disease. He was born in Charleston, South Carolina on August 23, 1938 to Edwin Leo Blitch Jr. and Anne Eudora McElveen and attended St. Andrews Parish High School. He went on to teach at St. Andrews Parish High School where he would also serve as Assistant Principal. Later, he accepted a position as Principal at James Island High where he was instrumental in ending segregation in our local school system. Taking a leave from the education system, he was employed by Abbott Labs as a Professional Medical Representative for almost 20 years. Retiring from Abbott Labs he returned to teaching at Burke, West Ashley and Academic Magnet Schools. He was a member of the Boy Scouts of America and served as Program Director at Camp Ho-Non-Wah as a young adult. While at the College of Charleston, Ed was a proud member of the Alpha Tau Omega fraternity. He was also very proud of his discovery of a new subspecies of Shrew with Dr. Albert Schwartz of the Charleston Museum which was named in his honor, Sorex dispar blitchi. He was an avid deer hunter and bird watcher (with a SC life list of 376 species). Ed is survived by his wife of 53 years, Carolyn Kelly Blitch; four children, Edwin Blitch (Marcy), Thomas Blitch, Matthew Blitch (Keri) and Christie Jacobin (Joe); a sister, JoAnne Blitch (Harry Powell) and sister-in-law Martha Kanapaux (Bill). Also survived by grandchildren Emma, Katie, Spencer, Cam, Ryan, Hunter, Hayden, Meagan and Austin; great-grandchildren Matthew and Ellis. The relatives and friends of Mr. and Mrs. Edwin L. Blitch III are invited to attend his Mass of Christian Burial at 11:00 AM, Monday, December 31, 2012, at Blessed Sacrament Catholic Church. The Rite of Committal will be at Live Oak Memorial Gardens. The family will receive friends Sunday afternoon between 4:00 and 6:00 PM at the James A. McAlister Funeral Home, 1620 Savannah Hwy. The Rosary will be recited at 5:30 PM. Memorial contributions may be made to Boy Scouts of America c/o Scout Executive,1025 Sam Rittenberg Blvd. Charleston, SC 29407 or The National Kidney Foundation of S.C. 5300 Rivers Ave. #2. Charleston, SC 29406. His guestbook may be signed at www.jamesamcalister.com. Arrangements by JAMES A. MCALISTER Funerals & Cremation 766-1365 Visit our guestbook at www.legacy.com/obituaries/ charleston

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Published by Charleston Post & Courier from Dec. 28 to Dec. 30, 2012.

Memories and Condolences
for Edwin Blitch

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Nancy Clayton-Lefter

January 15, 2013

I was so sorry to hear of the passing of Mr. Blitch. I was at James Island High during those difficult years, and I always found him to be supportive and fair. I was also a baby-sitter for your children a few times. God Bless all of you. Nancy Clayton Lefter

David Joyner

January 5, 2013

Mrs.Blitch - I had the good fortune to have been a St. Andrews student during your husband's time there. My most notable memory was being 'caught' in the auditorium duing a senior chapel servce I particularly wanted to hear - by your husband who reminded me where I was supposed to be at that time, and called me by name because he had memorized 'all' the student's names. I was allowed to go 'free'with just a warning. He and I laughed about that just this past year when we reintroduced ourselves at the Post Office. He was and will continue to be a great memory.

Ada Arthur

January 4, 2013

Carolyn, I was so sorry to learn of Edwin' death. I have fond memories of our time at James Island High.

Dianne Boersma

January 1, 2013

My deepest sympathy in your loss. I was a teacher at James Island when Mr. Blitch was principal. He was a wonderful man and led us through a very difficult period. I had the greatest respect for him.

January 1, 2013

Blitch children - We want to let you know we are so sorry for your loss. We enjoyed so many special times while doing BE baseball. Our prayers and thoughts are with all of you. Love, Karen and Bernie Hiatt

Marjorie Gottsch

December 31, 2012

Carolyn,
I am so very sorry for your loss. Words can not express my love and respect for all of The Blitch family and especially for its patriarch, Pop! Together you both created such a beautiful family and are perfect examples for all of us of how true love and devotion withstood the test of time. Ed was not only a wonderful husband, and father, he was a wonderful grandfather to my children Spencer, Cam, and Ryan. My prayers and love are with all of you. God Bless

Betty & Ted Mosay

December 31, 2012

Dr. Blitch,

You and your family have our
deepest Sympathy. You are in our thoughts and prayers.

Gregg Fesler

December 31, 2012

Ed,
I just saw this announcement and wanted you to know that we have you and all of your family in our prayers!

Curt & Christine Wilkinson

December 31, 2012

JoAnne, so sorry for the loss of your dear brother. Our thoughts and prayers are with you.

Ann Shahid

December 31, 2012

I began birdwatching 28 years ago. Ed is one of the first experts I met. He taught me so much and I am still an avid, passionate birder. I went on to work for Audubon SC as a result of my interest in birds. His integrity as a human was ever-present and his dry humor made him a desirable birding companion. He always spoke with love of his family.
I am so sorry that he had to suffer so much. Despite all the suffering he leaves a remarkable legacy.
My heart and prayers with everyone touched by his death.

JoAnne

December 31, 2012

For a wonderful brother - will miss our daily telehone calls in the mornings. Love and miss you.

William A. Brisbane Jr.

December 30, 2012

To my high school principal Mr Edwin L . Blitch lll at James Island High School class of 1971 a good person our principal we pray for the family God bless you all

Sallie Bendt

December 30, 2012

Mr. Blitch was part of my life at several times - principal when I was a student at James Island High School, pharmaceutical rep for my department when I was at MUSC, and teacher at BSS (although after my children had completed there). My prayers and condolences to his wife, children, grandchildren, and siblings. Through my time as secretary at BSS, I have had the pleasure of knowing several of you!

Patricia Tate

December 30, 2012

Our thoughts and prayers are with you at this difficult time.May your hearts be filled with all of the peciuos memories of all of the times you had together.My love will be with you always.

Pat O'Sheasy

December 30, 2012

I will always remember Dr. Blitch as the best principal I ever had.
My condolences to the family.

Pamela Smith

December 29, 2012

Carolyn, Tab, Edwin, Matt and Christy,

Mike, Todd, Elliott and I were so sorry to hear about Ed's recent illness and death. So many years have gone by, but memories flooded back about the time when we were all together on Dogwood Court in North Carolina.

We pray that you have the strength and courage to move through this most difficult of times.

Much love,
Pam

Linda Prowell

December 29, 2012

Dr. Blitch and Family...So sorry to hear about your Dad and Grandfather...Now you have a Guardian angel looking over all of you..My deepest sympathy...

Deborah Davis

December 29, 2012

May the Lord strengthen the family duirng this time of loss. I was a neighbor with Edwin at the apartment complex in West Ashley for 3 years. It was a pleasure to talk with him. He was a good man. May loving memories withhold you.

Carl Matthews

December 29, 2012

Ed and Marcy, I keep in touch with my old Charleston friends and was very sorry to hear about your Dad. My dad (92)is still around but I expect he will be with the Lord soon. I just cannot imagine your loss at this time but I wish you to know you have my heartfelt thought and prayers. I still have pictures of Emma playing with my dog Abi across the street.

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