March 23, 2016—It is with great sadness that we share that Craig Blower, COO of the Reuben H. Fleet Science Center in San Diego, passed away on March 16 at the age of 63 after a three-year battle with lung cancer. Those who knew Craig personally or through his blog, where he chronicled his battle, know he faced it with great honesty, indomitable optimism, and a marvelous sense of humor.


Craig came to the Reuben H. Fleet Science Center in the spring of 1999 and as Chief Operating Officer was responsible for all operational, financial and administrative activities necessary to conduct the business of the Fleet. Prior to the Fleet he served as general manager of Express Computer Supply. Craig was also a past president of the Computer and Electronics Marketing Association (CEMA).  


In his more than 15 years at the Fleet, Craig was an integral part of the Science Center family, a devoted member of the staff and true ambassador of the Fleet to the GSCA. His passion for the Fleet and tireless efforts on its behalf have left an indelible imprint on the organization, on Balboa Park (home of the Reuben H. Fleet Science Center) and on San Diego. Craig also spent countless hours volunteering for a number of organizations, including Camp Ronald McDonald for Good Times, Summerbridge San Diego, Rady Children’s Hospital, and Rotary Club of San Diego.


“Craig Blower was a superb museum executive and a great representative of the Reuben H. Fleet Science Center to the San Diego community and our colleagues at Science Centers and giant screen theaters around the world,” says Jeffrey W. Kirsch, Executive Director Emeritus at the Fleet. “He worked tirelessly at The Fleet and volunteered at other not-for-profits in the community for the betterment of all San Diegans. He even shared his personal battle against cancer via his blog, Get Fuzzy!, by making use of his uncanny ability to combine humor and wisdom to show that the human spirit and modern medicine can overcome various types of the big C in the foreseeable future. I know that Craig will be forever remembered for his goodness by all he touched. For me, personally, Craig was simply the finest person I have ever worked with and a true friend. While it pains me to think that he is no longer with us, thankfully his spirit will live on.”


Shares Wendy Grant, Director of Marketing and Communications at the Fleet, “Craig was very proud of his involvement in the large-format film industry. He was delighted to reconnect with colleagues and friends at the GSCA conference in San Francisco, and he would have loved to have joined us at the GSCA Film Expo. I certainly missed having my ‘partner in crime’ to carpool with to L.A. and to compare film notes. In this time of sadness, it may help to think of Craig’s unwavering optimism and his remarkable sense of humor. Craig’s positive outlook is something we should all aim to emulate.”


“Craig was an integral member of the GSCA and the giant screen industry as a whole,” says GSCA Executive Director Tammy Seldon. “He had a tireless energy and was dedicated to the craft of education and entertainment in our format. His constant positive attitude brought a genuine sense of optimism to association events, and his sense of humor kept us constantly asking him to participate in panels and discussions. His ‘Business As Usual, Day At a Time’ attitude will continue as a constant reminder to GSCA’s staff and members to always look to the bright side. We will miss Craig tremendously.”


He is survived by his wife Kim, children Brett and Bradyn (Miller), and son-in-law Monte Miller. Plans for a memorial have not yet been announced; however, Craig’s wife and family have expressed the following: If Craig has inspired anyone to give of themselves in time, energy, money or love, that is what he would want most. As a family, we have chosen to direct people who want to help to:

Craig’s blog is available here: https://craigblower.wordpress.com.