Individual Details

Harold Louis Blank
Bellingham Herald, The (WA) - Wednesday, June 29, 2011
Col. (Ret.) Harold Louis Blank, 83, passed away peacefully June 26th in Bellingham following a valiant struggle with complications from diabetes, leukemia, renal and heart failure. Born in St. Louis, Missouri in 1928, he was the third and last child of Fred and Frieda Blank, baby brother and "Buddy" to his siblings, Paul and Dorislee. "Bud" graduated from Maplewood High School in 1945, lettering in football and wrestling. He pursued his interests in mathematics and engineering at the U.S. Military Academy at West Point, where he wrestled and boxed, and was a member of the camera and Spanish clubs. An excerpt from his West Point annual states, "A ready grin and a generous heart personified Bud to his classmates." Upon completion of his masters in Civil Engineering at Iowa State University, Bud served his country and the Army Corps of Engineers in Puerto Rico, Korea, Panama, Venezuela, Vietnam and Washington, D.C. During a stateside assignment in Georgia, he met and married Jean Gies, nee Beverly, in June of 1960, and enthusiastically took on the role of father to 12 year old Carol. Daughters Julie and Amy followed in 1961 and 1966. His work as a cartographer and engineer saved lives in Vietnam. His architectural designs created optimal spaces for soldiers in army barracks and hospitals all over the world. His dedication to the morale and welfare of our fighting men and women led to the funding and development of the Armed Forces Recreation Center at Hale Koa on Waikiki Beach. His indisputable loyalty, integrity and patriotism placed him in positions of sacred trust at the heart of our national security while serving at the Defense Mapping Agency and the CIA headquarters in Langley, Virginia. Upon his retirement in 1978 he was honored with two Legions of Merit and earned a Full Honor Review given by the Third U.S. Infantry Regiment (The Old Guard). At home, Bud was a devoted husband and father, maintaining a loving, orderly household, providing life lessons in cooking, home repair, gardening and maximum efficiency in all things. He delighted in the achievements of his three daughters who each hold masters' degrees and have careers in public service. He took great pride in his eight grandchildren and five great-grandchildren, supporting their education and respective pursuits. He was preceded in death by his wife of almost 42 years. He is survived by his sister, Dorislee Feinstein of St. Louis, Missouri; his daughters Carol Reynolds of Papillion, Nebraska, Julie Hunter of Lummi Island, Washington, and Amy Wofford of Chapel Hill, North Carolina; his grandchildren Heather Simons (Reynolds), Jennifer Reynolds-Hazell, Karen Reynolds, Capt. Thomas J. Reynolds III, Louis Hunter, Sam Hunter, Will Wofford and Caroline Wofford, his great grandchildren Jake and Cole Simons, Wesley and Katherine Hazell, and Jack Boggy. Bud was especially grateful to the men, who through marriage, became the sons he never had; Lt. Col. (Ret.) Thomas J. Reynolds II, Mark Hunter and Bill Wofford. In the last year of his life Bud was truly grateful for the love and support he depended on from his dedicated caretakers, Mark Hunter and Sharon Lawler. Education and public service were paramount to Bud and he so appreciated the dedication of teachers, like his three daughters. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to The Beach School Foundation. Endorse checks to Beach School Foundation. (This is tax deductible.) Mail to: BSF, P.O. Box 85, Lummi Island, WA 98262. Zichrono l'vrachah - May his memory be for a blessing. A memorial service was held 4 PM, Wednesday, June 29th, at Moles-Bayview Chapel in Bellingham. Please share your thoughts and memories of Harold with the family in the online guestbook at www.molesfuneralhomes.com Moles Family Funeral Homes & Crematory, Bayview Chapel

Bellingham Herald, The () , obit for Harold Louis Blank, GenealogyBank.com (https://www.genealogybank.com/doc/obituaries/obit/1383F6B0F833E0E0-1383F6B0F833E0E0 : accessed 21 September 2018)

Birth	3 Jan 1928	Saint Louis, Missouri
Death	26 Jun 2011	Bellingham, Whatcom County, Washington

Father	Fred Blank (1898 - 1978)
Mother	Frieda Spaizman (1897 - 1987)
Sibling	Paul Blank (1920 - 1994)
Sibling	Doris Lee Blank (1926 - )