Blair B. Kling (1929–2011)

Blair was an emeritus professor of Indian history at the University of Illinois, where he taught for over 40 years. He was a pioneer in the scholarship of India and Southeast Asia and was highly regarded for his academic work in that field. He had particular passion for Ghandian philosophy, and for the wisdom of Indian culture and spirituality.

He and his wife Julia had many life-changing trips to India, starting in the mid-1950s. He had an important role in the establishment of the university's first Asian Center, as well as being a strong and persistent voice for faculty rights.

After growing up in Chicago, his family moved to Long Beach, Calif., where he graduated high school from Long Beach Polytechnic. He received his bachelor of arts from the University of California-Berkeley, his master of arts from the University of California-Berkeley and his Ph.D. from the University of Pennsylvania.

He served in the U.S. Army during the Korean War as a staff sergeant in the Quartermasters' headquarters in Petersburg, Va.