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Respiratory Care Services employee dies Keith Bloodworth, MUSC Respiratory Care Services, died on Thursday, Aug. 25. A service was held for Bloodworth, of Folly Beach, on Aug. 27 at the James A. McAlister Chapel.   He was born in Anderson on April 3, 1959, the son of Gerald LeRoy Bloodworth and Patricia Anne Cummings Bloodworth. Keith was a graduate of Carolina High School in Greenville, received a bachelor of science degree from Georgia State University and was pursuing a master’s degree at the College of Charleston.   Keith Bloodworth Keith was a respiratory therapist at the Medical University of South Carolina and was also an instructor at Trident Technical College in the Respiratory Care program. Keith will be remembered for his honesty, sincerity and love of cats. He loved boating and the Folly Beach “way of life.”   Keith is survived by his mother, Patricia A. Bloodworth of Greenville, his father and stepmother, Gerald and Brenda Bloodworth of Laurens, his grandmothers, Mildred Cummings and Etheline Bloodworth; an aunt, June B. Walker and two cousins, Laura Rockefeller and Vinc Walker. He was predeceased by his grandfathers: Guy Cummings and Roy Bloodworth; an uncle Larry J. Walker and a cousin, Leslie Walker.   Any memorial contributions may be made to Pet Helpers at 1430 Folly Rd, Charleston, SC 29412. Some of Keith’s animals were placed with Pet Helpers. Keith was a kind, sensitive, beautiful person and I loved him like a brother. He had a great sense of humor and those of us that knew him appreciated his humorous take-offs on the dark and ironic peculiarities of life. He was definitely the highlight of my day. He was a confidante and advisor. He had no children of his own, just his vast array of cats, but he always had great advice for me.   I hear his voice constantly reminding me to value certain things in my life and not take things for granted, especially the love and respect of my children.   He was a pet lover and his greatest concern was for his seven cats and his bird. He lived on Folly Beach and that laid back style was perfect for him. He frequently had friends over to accompany him in his boat into the Folly River. I laugh at the image of us heading out to his johnboat trailed by his cats who curiously watched us push the boat out of or into the pluff mud. Even though he was originally from the upstate, he really loved the whole Lowcountry.   He loved the birds, the tides, the marsh and inlets. Just say the word and he’d be in his boat. He loved history books and was pursuing his master’s degree at the College of Charleston. His ultimate goal was to teach and eventually retire to Belize. I’d always tell him that as long as he cooked, I’d be there, too. He was an absolutely fabulous cook. He was just an all around great person.   I love him tremendously and miss his friendship terribly, but I am a better person for having known him.  —Sharon Coopersmith, Pediatric Respiratory Care Services I’m so devastated with the loss of Keith that I find it very difficult to express all the attributes that made him so wonderful and eclectic.   He was extraordinary in everything he did, his style, his artwork, his gourmet cooking and his teaching. His true love in life was teaching. He ultimately wanted to teach history, and taught respiratory therapy courses at Trident Tech. He always looked for the good in other people and always made the residents look good. He was a generous, loving and funny man who loved his pets and his friends. He was always very compassionate, caring and soothing when taking care of his patients and treated them like members of his own family. With Keith, you always had a good time. When he would cook and entertain, he would learn the history of the meal he was preparing, exactly which fresh herbs and spices to buy and would spend all day making everything perfect.   It’s part of our profession to deal with many end-of-life issues, so he was never particularly afraid of dying and was aware that it was a part of life. He was an incredibly positive person and thinker. He wanted us to take his ashes to the end of 10th avenue on Folly Beach and scatter them, only to have a big celebration at his home to celebrate life. I love him like a brother and will miss him terribly. —Debra Soliday, Adult Respiratory Care Services Keith became employed at the medical center in 1994 and he worked in pediatric and adult respiratory care. Words which described Keith from my association with him are: jovial, pure in heart, caring, concerned about the welfare of others, fun-loving but yet professional.  He affected the hearts of all who knew him in a way that will always be remembered. —Donna Bolus, Manager, Adult Respiratory Care Services     Friday, Sept. 9, 2005 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 petersnd@musc.edu or catalyst@musc.edu. To place an ad in The Catalyst hardcopy, call Community Press at 849-1778.