by Christopher Sanchez
Daily Lobo
Dr. Carman Bliss, a former dean of the College of Pharmacy, never made it to the final ceremony of the College of Pharmacy's 60th anniversary.
Bliss died in an automobile accident while on his way to the ceremony on Saturday. He was 81.
About 30 people attended a memorial service for Bliss on Tuesday at the UNM Alumni Memorial Chapel.
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John Pieper, dean of the College of Pharmacy, said Bliss was a significant figure to the University.
He said Bliss tripled the faculty of the College of Pharmacy during his 16 years as dean. He established the New Mexico Poison and Drug Information Center, UNM's toxicology graduate research programs and UNM's Radiopharmacy Program, which was the first of its type.
"All the three things we are known for today - he started," Pieper said. "He is probably the most important figure in the history of our college."
He said Bliss helped secure resources to add building space at the College of Pharmacy.
"His leadership took us from 8,000 to 30,000 square feet and solidified the college and put it on strong footing," Pieper said.
Bliss was appointed UNM's dean of the College of Pharmacy in 1970. He retired in 1986 and moved to Washington, D.C.
Pieper said he and other faculty were worried about Bliss on Saturday because he did not show up to the ceremony. Pieper received a phone call from a faculty member who notified him of Bliss's death, he said.
"It was a very difficult and challenging Saturday," Pieper said. "But people remembered Carman's many wonderful contributions."
Kevin Bliss, son of Carman, said the automobile accident was a shock to everyone.
"I don't think my father ever had a fender-bender over his 50 years of driving - we were not prepared for this," Bliss said.
He said he never knew people thought so highly of his father until the memorial service.
"I really didn't have this sense of all he had accomplished," Bliss said. "I knew he was a great guy, but I had no idea there were so many folks who really appreciated his contribution."
He said the words from his father's friends at UNM made the memorial service heartwarming.
"I wish there was a way I could take this back and communicate it to the family and friends in Edmonton," Bliss said. "It was wonderful."
Carman Bliss traveled from Edmonton, Canada, for the ceremony.
Bliss said his father died in a place he loved - New Mexico.
"It's truly remarkable that this is where he died," Bliss said. "He loved it so much."
Dr. Bill Hadley, a former dean of UNM's College of Pharmacy, said he spoke with Bliss the day before his death at Friday's anniversary ceremony. He presented Bliss' accomplishments at the ceremony, he said, and after the ceremony Bliss asked Hadley why he made him look like a genius.
"I didn't make him look like a genius - he was a genius," Hadley said. "Look at what vision he had and look at what he did to transform this college."
