Blum

The 87-year-old Dysart man who died Sunday from the coronavirus, the first local person killed by the disease, caught it despite being homebound — and therefore in essential compliance with the state’s protective stay-home order long before that order was issued.

Louis Blum’s family was well aware he was vulnerable to COVID-19, given his age and health problems that included congestive heart failure, and was taking the recommended precautions.

But it didn’t keep him from getting sick, said his daughter, Lisa Cunningham.

It goes to show that “anyone is susceptible, no matter how careful you are,” Cunningham said Thursday.

Someone who was visiting evidently brought in the infection, she said.

Her father’s illness also goes to show that everyone needs to take the disease and the recommended guidance for dealing with it seriously, she said.

Blum died at UPMC Altoona after spending four days there, Cunningham said.

Because the virus is highly contagious, the family wasn’t allowed to visit in person, which was “awful,” Cunningham said.

But the compassion of the nurses and doctors at the hospital helped make up for that, as did the video connections with their father the UPMC employees arranged, the multiple daily updates on her father’s condition they provided and a nurse keeping her father company when he died.

“They were wonderful,” Cunningham said.

Her dad used to be a sales representative for Lufthansa airlines, but retired in 1973 due to medical issues, Cunningham said.

He was also a private pilot who flew out of the airport in Ebensburg years ago, she said.

Her father was a “particular” person, who took pride in keeping his grass cut and his cars clean, Cunningham said.

He liked spending time with his family, including two grandchildren, she said.

“He was Dad,” she said.

Lisa, 58, has a brother, Stephen, 55, who lives in India. Blum’s wife of 60 years is Shirley, according to an online obituary. A younger brother, Chris, died in 2000.

Blum’s body was cremated.

“That was his wish,” Cunningham said.

It was also mandatory, based on his being COVID-19-positive, as she understands it, Cunningham said.

The arrangements were by Gibbons Funeral Home in Ashville.

Before handling the body, funeral director Dan Gibbons consulted a doctor, who advised him to wear an N95 mask.

“I always wear rubber gloves and an apron,” Gibbons said. “I took all the precautions I knew.”

Asked whether he’d been worried, Gibbons said, “It made me think.”

“I want all this craziness to be over with,” Cunningham said. “And life to get back to normal.”

There was no funeral Mass because of the pandemic, Cunningham said, adding when it’s possible, the family plans to have a “celebration of life” service at St. Augustine Church in Dysart.

Mirror Staff Writer William Kibler is at 949-7038.