Font ResizeBloom died Tuesday following what his daughter, Margo, said was a long illness at St. Barnabas Hospital in Livingston, N.J., the museum said.
Bloom was director and president of the Science Museum from 1969 until he retired in 1990. He was the first science museum president to serve was president of the American Association of Museums and was also chairman of the U.S. National Committee of the International Council of Museums and founding president of the Association of Science-Technology Centers.
"Joel was truly a legend in the museum community," current institute president and CEO Dennis Wint said in a statement. He said Bloom's "commitment to taking the resources of interactivity and science outside the museum walls transformed the mission of science museums throughout the world."
Nancy Kolb, president and CEO of the Please Touch Museum in Philadelphia, said Bloom was especially supportive of women at a time that advancing in the field was difficult for them.
"At critical moments in all of our careers, we would receive a "Joelgram" postcard full of humor and encouragement," she said in the statement. "Joel's legacy at The Franklin is well-documented, but it is his legacy of people who have gone on to be leaders in their chosen fields that is the most lasting."
Bloom was born in New York City, studied at the Brooklyn Polytechnic Institute and Columbia University, and worked for the Israeli defense ministry. He joined the Franklin Institute in 1958 and a decade later was asked to recommend improvements for the science museum—after which he was named director to implement his plan.
In 1993, he was given the AAM's Award for Distinguished Service to Museums and in 2005 was included on its Centennial Honor Roll of 100 of those who have worked over the previous century to innovate, improve and expand the country's museums.
Bloom is survived by his three children, a brother and six grandchildren.
Services are scheduled Friday at Joseph Levine & Sons, followed by interment at Mt. Sharon cemetery.
