Rheo Blair Cause of Death

How did Rheo Blair die? There are many theories such as over use of certain supplements, hepatitis, AIDS, heart disease, foul play, etc. - but here is the truth about Rheo Blair's cause of death.

Rheo Blair was born with only one good kidney and was very sickly as a child. He also had anemia, hypoglycemia, etc. this resulted in being underweight, having very low energy and inability to concentrate or think clearly. It is said he almost died a few times, and the doctors said he's never make it to adulthood.

It was in fact his poor health early on that led him to research diet and nutrition. He studied all he could about heath, exercise and nutrition, he tried everything from fasting, vegetarian diet, etc. He finally found that a high protein diet based on meat, milk and eggs, and low in carbohydrates made him feel better and increased his health. He also took up weight training which helped fill out his skinny body and gave him more strength and endurance.

Rheo led a very healthily and active life for decades, but his bad kidney took a toll on him and his one good kidney begin to fail, he had to go on dialysis but finally died from kidney failure.

As sad is this is that he died in his early sixties, he would have died as a teenager most likely if he hadn't made the discoveries he did concerning nutrition.

Here is his obituary written by Peary Rader and published in Iron Man Magazine.

In Memoriam of Rheo H Blair

This is a very difficult passage for your editor to write about the death of one of his dear friends, Rheo H Blair, who was one of the greatest nutritionists in the field of bodybuilding.

We remember our early meetings with Irvin Johnson back in the 1940's Chicago. We first met his at the YMCA Hotel in Chicago where a lot of lifters were staying while attending the National Weightlifting Championships. Irvin had come from his home in New Jersey to take voice training in Chicago and although he had worked with weights for several years he had made practically no progress. His health was very poor as was his physique. He had corresponded with us previous to that time and now was asking us a lot more questions.

The next time that we met him was in 1949, also in Chicago. Your editor had made a business trip there and was invited to stay with Irvin while there. When I went to his gym, I was amazed at the change which had taken place in him - both in physique and personality. He had gained a great deal of weight and had a beautiful physique which has recently won him a physique contest in Chicago. He had developed one of the most pleasing and magnetic personalities we had ever had the pleasure of contacting.

He was then operating on of the most successful gyms in the country - I mean successful both financially and from the standpoint of amazing results he was obtaining. In addition to a big, modern gym he also has his living quarters on the same floor including a big, modern kitchen where he and some of the boys of the gym concocted new and unusual result-producing foods and meals.

He also had a beautiful living-bedroom where John Grimek and I had the privilege of resting our weary bones at that time. In addition to this, there was another huge room where his voice teacher, the famed Feuchtinger, had his voice training office. This arrangement made it possible for Irvin to continue his voice training, He possessed one of the most beautiful voices we had ever heard, although he stated that when he started he could hardly sing a note. He was in great demand in the Chicago area because of his beautiful singing voice which was much like that of the famed Nelson Eddy. He also had a wonderful studio where he made recordings of some of the great orchestras in the country.

His transformation was so amazing we plied him with questions to find out what he had done, In addition to improved exercise technique, the most important aspect of his miraculous transformation was nutrition. We found that he had gone to New York City to study under one of the greatest dietitians in the country and that he had developed his famous methods that transformed his own physique and health and the physique and health of many others of his pupils, some of them famous physique men.

We were finally able to convince him that he should write some articles on nutrition for Iron Man, and so in 1950 he started a series of articles telling readers what they could do in their own nutrition program to improve their physiques. We also began selling his supplements which he has developed and which were the key to his great results. Shortly after this time Irvin decided California was the best place for him to spread his message of correct nutrition. He then moved to California and change his name to Rheo H Blair. He expressed the thought to me that this would be a much more professional name than his given name of Irvin Johnson and certainly it must not of hurt him.

He then set up a very successful business where he manufactured and sold his supplements. For a time he continued training famous bodybuilders and athletes, One of these that he trained which still in Chicago was Jim Park. Park, of course, became the 1952 Mr. America. He had moved to Chicago in 1947 and became acquainted with Irvin Johnson who then trained him at his gym until he won the title. Even after Irvin changed his name and moved to Chicago he still trained a number of famous bodybuilders. Among these were Larry Scott and Frank Zane. Others were Gable Boudreaux and Don Howorth. The list would become quite long if we named them all.

Some time after moving to California Rheo became acquainted with some movie stars and began training them. He made some remarkable transformations in the health and bodies of many of there famous stars. This direction of activity eventually became his major project and he continued in this work until his death.

We can only say that one of the greatest nutritionists has left our midst and the world will be much poorer for this loss.

Disclaimer: These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. Consult with a healthcare professional before starting any diet, supplement or exercise program. Individuals differ in response to supplements and so will results.