Blue was born in 1938 in Marseille, France, to Samuel Alexander and Ramona (Alessandro) Wooldridge. His family moved to Chard, England, where they lived until coming to the United States in 1949. They lived in Steeles Tavern for a short time before settling in Lexington.

Blue attended Lylburn Downing School and upon graduation, he went on to receive a bachelor of arts degree in physics from Berea College, a master’s in governmental administration from the Wharton Graduate Division of the University of Pennsylvania, and a master of public administration and doctor of public administration degrees from the University of Southern California.

Blue spent most of the last 32 years of his professional life as a tenured professor at Virginia Commonwealth University (VCU) where he taught in the MPA and doctorate program in the L. Douglas Wilder School of Government and Public Affairs. He retired in 2019 as Distinguished Career Professor and Professor Emeritus.

Prior to joining VCU, Blue served as extension professor at the Institute of Public Service International, the University of Connecticut; director of the Graduate Program in Urban Affairs (Northern Virginia), Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University; and as director of the Urban Management Curriculum Development Project and Training Associate, with the National Training and Development Service.

Blue was active in many professional associations, including the National Academy of Public Administration (NAPA), the American Society for Public Administration (ASPA), the Network of Associated Schools of Public Policy, Affairs, and Administration (NASPAA) and the International Association of Schools and Institute of Administration (IASIA). He also received many professional awards for outstanding contributions, but one of his proudest professional accomplishments was being elected Fellow in the National Academy of Public Administration in 2005.

Blue was a passionate and unwavering advocate for diversity and social equity, as evidenced by his teaching, research, numerous publications, awards and honors.

Blue’s time as a Peace Corps volunteer ignited his enthusiasm for world travel which resulted in him visiting over 70 countries. He always sought opportunities to meet and interact with other people. His smile, quick wit and affability earned him many lasting friendships with people throughout the world.

Blue is predeceased by his parents, Samuel Alexander and Ramona (Alessandro) Wooldridge; his sisters, Ramona Wooldridge and Manola Stardust Whitehead; and brothers, Red Cloud and Trigger Wooldridge.

He is survived by his wife, Annie Brittian Wooldridge; a son, Bertram Robinson (Lisa); a daughter, Janine Higgins (Joseph); grandchildren Bertram Robinson Jr., Julian Higgins, Bailey Higgins and Donavan Robinson; niece Tanya Wooldridge-Days (Elliott); nephews Edward Whitehead, Aaron Whitehead (Jessica); sister-inlaw Thomasina Wooldridge; and a host of other relatives and friends.

The family will hold a private memorial for Blue in the coming months and will spread his ashes in Virginia and on the Eastern Shore of Maryland.

The family is deeply grateful to the many friends and colleagues that have expressed their condolences and shared fond memories of their relationship with Blue. The family is also grateful for the doctors, nurses, and staff at Northside Hospital Duluth and the nurses, therapists, care givers and administrators at Delmar Gardens of Gwinnett skilled nursing facility.

Those who wish to remember Blue in a special way can make gifts in his name to their favorite charity. NG