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CH volunteer remembered for hats, humor Larry Blewer, a long-time volunteer with MUSC Children’s Hospital, died June 5 at his home. He worked for five years at MUSC Children’s Hospital and at Roper Hospital. Known to the hospital staff and MUSC family as the “hat man,” Blewer cheered children and adult patients with his funny, creative hats, reading and playing with children or finding inventive ways to draw smiles from patients.      Larry Blewer Prior to joining the MUSC Children’s Hospital Volunteer Services staff, Blewer worked more than 31 years as an accounting technician at the Charleston Naval Shipyard. He also served in the U.S. Marines Corps and Coast Guard with more than 20 years combined service.   Blewer is survived by his wife, Anita; stepdaughters, Anita Marshall of Ravenel, Katherine Cheshire of Gainesville, Fla., and Marilyn Roe of Charleston; stepsons, Harold Hutzler Jr., and Ted Hutzler of Mount Pleasant; and nine grandchildren.   Funeral services were held June 8 at Ferndale Baptist Church in North Charleston followed by internment at Riverview Memorial Park. Memorials in his memory can be made to Happy Days & Special Times, Hospice of Charleston or Remember, a non-profit ministry for families of individuals who have been martyred or imprisoned for their Christian faith. Larry was amazing for lots of reasons. For his dedication to the things he cared about—his church, family and causes he believed in; for his compassion that he offered to everyone, no matter who they were or where they came from; for his kind smile that lifted so many spirits; for his tender hugs that got me and many people through the day; for his courage that allowed him to volunteer up until two weeks ago when he was in a lot more pain than probably any of us could bear; for his faithfulness that was an inspiration to us all and finally, for the funny hats that he wore that won him the name “hat man” while he worked at the hospital. —Christine Messick, MUSC Children’s Hospital Volunteer Program It was due to Larry’s dedication that we were able to get the Happy Wheels Cart out every Thursday. He was always there and willing to help—even when he was quite ill, he hardly missed a day getting the cart out to all the children. The entire Children’s Hospital looked forward to seeing him in his funny hats. —Sandra C. Oberman, Manager, Child Life Department, MUSC Children’s Hospital                                The rewarding part of my job is establishing such wonderful relationships with our volunteers. Larry Blewer touched my life in so many ways I could never name them all. I never missed a hug on Wednesday or Thursday. Larry made sure that when he arrived and departed for the day that he got his hug.  I have had the privilege of getting to know his precious wife and just recently have met the family that I have heard so much about. Larry had the strongest and biggest heart of anyone I have ever known. He made such an impact on everyone he met. There will definitely be a void without him. Larry volunteered in both the adult hospital and the Children’s Hospital at MUSC. He was “ours” in every sense of the word. His death really shook my office. —Tiffany Heffner, MUSC Medical Center Volunteer and Information Services   Larry was the volunteer that every department wanted. When I first started in this office, I began to round on inpatient floors to ask staff if they needed a volunteer. On one unit, the nurses at the desk all said in unison, “we want the hat man with the funny glasses!” That meant Larry. Larry began every day with a friendly greeting and a positive note. His enthusiasm and love for MUSC was demonstrated in his every action. I am very sad to have lost such a wonderful volunteer and such a good friend.” —Katy Kuder, Manager, MUSC Medical Center Volunteer and Information Services     Friday, June 16, 2006 Catalyst Online is published weekly, updated as needed and improved from time to time by the MUSC Office of Public Relations for the faculty, employees and students of the Medical University of South Carolina. Catalyst Online editor, Kim Draughn, can be reached at 792-4107 or by email, catalyst@musc.edu. Editorial copy can be submitted to Catalyst Online and to The Catalyst in print by fax, 792-6723, or by email to catalyst@musc.edu. To place an ad in The Catalyst hardcopy, call Island papers at 849-1778, ext. 201.