Leonard “Buzz” Blair

Leonard “Buzz” Blair, 96, died December, 13, 2011; at his home in Montecito, where he lived with Emily, his wife of 63 years.

He attended Lehigh University (PA), Carnegie Tech (now Carnegie Mellon), and received his BA from Antioch, Santa Barbara.

He served five years in the U.S. Army, the last four in the CBI Theater with the 14th Army Air Force, receiving a Purple Heart, separating as Major.

His professional life was as writer, director-producer, primarily in radio and television, but also in theater, inaugurating the Westwood Playhouse (now the Geffen Theater) in Los Angeles.

Retiring to Montecito, he was a member of the Santa Barbara Polo and Racquet Club, the Channel City Club, served on the boards of the Lobero Theater, the Montecito Association, the Board of Visitors of Antioch, Santa Barbara, and wrote extensively.

Survivors include his wife Emily, son Christopher (Karen), Great Barrington, MA; daughter Stacy Blair Young, Culver City, CA; grandson Nicholas Coleman Alley; a nephew, Dr. Stephen Malawista and many wonderful grand- and great-grand nieces and nephews. He was pre-deceased by his parents and two sisters.