Carl Nicholas Bloom

Carl Nicholas Bloom, 57, passed away Thursday, January 2, 2025, as the result of a brain tumor.

Per Carl’s wishes, his brain will be donated for medical research and his body cremated. A Celebration of Life will be held at a later date. Memorials may be made to Relay for Life of Jefferson County and mailed to the family at 408 W. Broadway, Fairfield, Iowa 52556. Behner Funeral Home in Fairfield is assisting the family.

Carl was born August 13, 1967 at Graham Hospital in Keokuk, Iowa to George N. and Barbara A. Bloom. Carl’s grandparents were Leonard “Bud” and Bette Bloom of Keokuk and Harold and Alta Bangert of Montrose.

Carl graduated from Central Lee High School in 1985. In 1989, he graduated from Coe College in Cedar Rapids, Iowa. Later, he graduated from the University of Southern Mississippi with a Master’s degree in English. At the University of Southern Illinois in Carbondale, he earned a Doctorate degree in English and taught there. Carl wrote many educational papers and published one book.

In March of 1998 in St. Helen, Oregon, Carl married Hafiza Nilofar "Nel" Khan. Carl enjoyed painting, drawing, writing, magic cards, Dungeons and Dragons, concerts, and debating.

Those left to honor his memory include his wife, Nel of Dhaka, Bangladesh; one daughter, Alisha Bloom, of Denver, Colorado; his parents, Barbara Bloom of Fairfield and George N. (Lori) Bloom of Montrose; two sisters, Christy Bloom of Chicago, and Rebecca Angell of Fairfield; niece, Megan Sullivan; nephews, Maxwell Sullivan and Marley Young; many cousins, aunts, and uncles, in California and Iowa; and his mother-in-law, Mrs. Wali Khan.

From his colleagues at the Independent University in Bangladesh: "Dr. Bloom was not just a dedicated faculty member in his role as an assistant professor at DEML, IUB, but was also a source of positivity, kindness, and support to everyone he encountered. He made an indelible mark on countless lives, both professionally and personally. His genuine compassion and warm spirit will be sorely missed but forever remembered. May he rest in eternal peace."