Douglas Dewitt Blissard

Douglas Dewitt Blissard (70) passed away on August 8, 2023 due to complications from a stroke. He battled to recover for nearly four months and did so with incredible determination and dignity. Born on November 11, 1952 to Dewitt and Elizabeth Blissard of Tarrant City, Alabama, he grew up with his younger brother Gary and many neighborhood friends, some who remained friends throughout his life.Doug is survived by his wife, Cathy; sons, John and Connor; brother, Gary; sister-in-law, Lisa; nephew, Ian; niece, Romana; and his cousin, Dwight.

Doug was a musician and played piano, flute and trombone and participated in marching band while in high school and college. Doug graduated from Auburn University (War Eagle!) with a Bachelor of Science degree in Zoology. Soon after, he accepted a position as a research biologist with the University of Alabama Department of Membrane Biology doing research in GI Pharmacology under the direction of Dr. George Sachs. In 1980, he met Cathy and in 1981 they were married. In 1982, Doug accepted a position in Los angeles with C.U.R.E., the Center for Ulcer Research and Education, continuing under the direction of Dr. Sachs. It was here that the then prescription medication Tagamet, as well as others, was developed. While in Los Angeles, Doug returned to college part time earning an associate degree in electronics.In 1988, Doug accepted a position as an associate research scientist with Syntax, which later became Roche Biosciences, and he and Cathy packed and moved to Northern California.

Soon after, they began their family with their first son, John, born in 1988, and their youngest son, Connor following in 1990. While Doug was with C.U.R.E., Syntax and Roche, he designed and built laboratory apparatus, all of which were approved and used in research. Even though his builds increased production and accuracy, sadly he was only minimally recognized for these achievements and not allowed to file for patents. Doug is well published in scientific literature and his work can be found online. He was a very creative and intelligent scientist and held in high regard by everyone he worked for and with. An avid science fiction fan, his favorite television show was Star Trek.But watching the news became competition for Star Trek because in the last several years of his life, Doug became concerned with the political situation of our country. He was a proud Democrat. A private person, he preferred solitary pursuits when not at work. So, when he wasn't looking into a microscope at work, he was out taking photographs, printing, matting and framing photographs, at the computer learning a new program, designing and building laboratory equipment and tinkering with electronics.He was a talented and acknowledged photographer. His work has been entered into many photo exhibit competitions and always winning awards with the majority of wins being in the first place category. With some coaxing, he could be pulled from his solitary pursuits if Cathy mentioned the need for a mom break. He would gather supplies and take his children on field trips where he could share his love of science and observation. Their favorite spot was Redwood Grove. They would gather different leaves, seeds and flowers and water from different sources.

Back home, Doug would give his children composition notebooks for recording their data, pull out the microscope and study drops of water on slides. He showed his children how to place leaves and flowers between sheets of biology paper and press inside of books. Often, he would take John and Connor to the nearby lake for fishing, Or, they would build rockets together and head off to locations where they could launch them. An all time favorite was when he would return home from work and be 'forced' to become The Tickle Monster! He also enjoyed helping them to design and build roller derby cars for cub scouts and helping with school science fair projects. The immediate family will hold a private memorial but in remembrance of Doug we ask that extended family and friends who live a great distance away, go out and take photographs that you could title 'Family' or 'Friend'. And vote Democrat! Doug was well loved and will be greatly missed.