George Albert Blier papers
Collection area: History of Science
Collection dates: 1947-1978
Collection contains papers, mostly officer and committee reports, relating to the National Society for Histotechnology (mainly 1977-1978) and three laboratory procedure manuals (“Hematology,” “Urinalysis,” and the third one, untitled, including information sheets relating to a variety of lab procedures). The National Society for Histotechnology folder also includes an undated manuscript page (written by George?) which relates to the early years of the Society and also a copy of the NSH “Articles of Incorporation and Bylaws” (approved May, 1977). The three lab manuals, dated 1947-1948, were used (and compiled?) by George in
conjunction with his work at the 361st Station Hospital in Tokyo. Note authored by Dave Piper.
George Albert Blier was born on January 24, 1920 in Mexico (Oxford County), Maine. He died January 1, 2005 in Sierra Vista, Arizona George’s wife was Norma Louise Coppernell Blier (born on January 10, 1926; died April 19, 2010). According to Norma’s obituary (published April 21, 2010 in the Sierra Vista Herald) she and George met in Japan where he was stationed as a sergeant in the U.S. Army working as a histotechnologist and she was a medical secretary working in military hospitals.
Following World War II (circa 1947-1948) George worked at the U.S. Army 361st Station Hospital in Tokyo, Japan. There he established and ran the largest medical laboratory at the time in the Far East.
According to George’s obituary (published January 4, 2005 in the Sierra Vista Herald) while at the U.S. Army 361st Station Hospital, he was the interpreter and ward nurse for Japanese war criminals. One of his favorite memories was playing chess with the Japanese general Tojo.
Norma and George were married in 1950 and over the years, they lived in various places in the U.S. Later they lived in and retired to Sierra Vista, Arizona.
According to Norma George was one of the founding members of the National Society for Histotechnology (http://www.nsh.org/) which was established in 1973. To date no information relating to George’s histotechnological education or training has been located. Biographical note authored by Dave Piper, 2011.
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