Dr. Elliot R Blum, a Director of Clinical Psychology Training and a Clinical Psychologist in private practice, died suddenly on March 13, 2016, of a massive heart attack at the age of 79. He was a man with big appetites and an even bigger heart. Elliot Blum was born and raised in the Bronx, NY. 

Education and work were important to his family, and he excelled at both, despite what he described as an undiagnosed learning disability. He graduated from City College with a degree in accounting and completed his doctorate in clinical psychology at Florida State University with what he happily dubbed one of the shortest dissertations in the field. He held the highest degree attainable in his profession, an ABPP in Clinical Psychology. 

Dr. Blum had worked continuously since the age of 12, but once he found a profession that enabled him to talk to people all day, he declared that he would never retire. He achieved his wish, seeing patients up until two days before his death. 

He came to Washington DC as a new clinical psychologist working on and later directing a forensic ward at Saint Elizabeths Hospital, the federal government''s acclaimed psychiatric facility run under the auspices of the National Institute of Mental Health. At age 34, Dr Blum became the hospital''s Director of Clinical Psychology Training. 

For 20 years, he ran the Clinical Psychology Training Program, overseeing the instruction of hundreds of externs, interns and residents and creating a program that was renowned throughout the country. Many hours of weekly clinical supervision for the trainees distinguished his program; Dr. Blum insisted on providing highly qualified supervisors to help launch his interns'' professional lives. Over the years, Dr. Blum sent into clinical practice an exceptional cadre of highly trained therapists who work in hospitals, outpatient clinics and private practice to this day. Many of them formed such strong bonds that they became good friends and often worked together long after their internships ended. 

Dr. Blum retired from the federal government in his early 50''s to devote himself full-time to private practice. In his clinical practice, he saw individuals, couples and groups, always adhering to his strong belief that people learn and grow through less judgment and more curiosity. 

Dr. Blum was a member of the American Academy of Psychotherapists, an organization dedicated to authentic personal connection. He participated in and led workshops and met several times a year with a long-term group of senior therapists. 

His work was just one of Dr. Blum''s many passions. He loved cigars. He loved food. He loved animals and always had one or two dogs, saying, "I never want to come home to a house without a dog." He was beloved by his students, colleagues, friends and family, all of whom recognized him as a "deep trawler," a person not into the details of life, but rather wanting to understand the meaning of it all. He loved all questions and encouraged his patients, students and friends to be curious and open. 

Dr. Blum''s first marriage to Deborah Blum ended in divorce. They remained friends, and their blended families often vacationed together on Cape Cod. Dr. Blum is survived by his beloved wife and co-therapist of over 30 years, Dr. Ann Reifman, by his children, Jonathan Blum, Belinda Blum and Joseph Blum, his daughter in law, Barbara Spindel, son in love, Eric Wallach and by his grandchildren, Lucy and Nathan Blum and Ruby and Lou Blum Wallach. 

A Memorial Service will be held at the River Road Unitarian Universalist Congregation (6301 River Road, Bethesda, Maryland 20817) at 1:30 p.m., March 18, 2016. All are welcome.