Obituary: Dike Blair

-- Publishers Weekly, 11/4/2009 7:30:00 AM

Robert “Dike” Blair (b. 1919), who founded the Vermont Book Shop in Middlebury 60 years ago, died on October 31. He is survived by his wife, Reba, three daughters, and four grandchildren. In 1993, Blair sold the store to Laura and John Scott. He lived long enough to see his legacy pass on to another new owner, Becky Dayton, in 2005. In addition to bookselling, Blair turned publisher and brought out a dozen titles under the Vermont Books imprint, including his own Books and Bedlam.

Contributions in Blair’s memory can be made to: the Middlebury Volunteer Ambulance Association, 19 Elm St., Middlebury, Vt. 05753 or the Addison County Home Health and Hospice, P.O. Box 754, Middlebury, Vt. 05753.