Richard William Blank, 90, of Ovid, Michigan, formerly of Birnamwood, passed away Wednesday, Nov. 4, 2026, at Welcome Home Assisted Living in Owosso, Michigan.
Per Richard’s wishes, cremation has taken place. A graveside memorial service will be held at 2 p.m. Nov. 14 at Forest Cemetery in Birnamwood, with military honors conducted by the Darling Gunderson Post 341. A meal and get-together will be held at Richard’s favorite restaurant and bar, Chet and Emil’s in downtown Birnamwood. All are welcome after the short service.
Richard was born in Munising, Michigan, on March 3, 1936, the son of William J. Blank and Mary Jo (Dolaski) Blank. He graduated from Mather High School in Munising in 1954. In high school, he earned all-state in football, Class B.
After leaving high school, he joined the U.S. Navy and spent four years as a submariner on the USS Sea Leopard (SS 483) and the USS Corsair (SS 435). After leaving the Navy, he attended Northern Michigan University and earned a bachelor of science degree. He also did graduate work at NMU and Michigan State University.
While at NMU, he belonged to the Blue Key National Honor Fraternity and was a member of Northern’s Veterans Club. While there, he was hired by the U.S. Forest Service in Marquette and worked on diseases of the northern hardwoods. He was then transferred to Rhinelander, where he worked for the Atomic Energy Commission in radiation ecology. He met Lois Dorothy Passuello during this time. On May 4, 1974, Richard married Lois, and they spent 50 years together prior to her passing on May 22, 2024.
The U.S. Forest Service transferred Richard again, this time to Michigan State University, where he had two offices and several labs to work on insects and diseases and eventually in fire technology. During his time on MSU’s campus, he became a fire behavior officer and created two items now in the U.S. Forest Service Hall of Fame in Texas.
Mr. Blank won an award with Dr. Robert Haack for $250,000 for their pioneering work in listening to the noises that trees make when they are stressed or dying. He authored, co-authored and held patents in the U.S. Forest Service. He retired April 1, 1991, and started the Blank-A-T-Blank Christmas Tree Farm with Lois in Birnamwood. He retired from the farm in 2016 but continued to manage the land and trees.
Richard was an active member of the American Legion and served as commander at Post 269 in Haslett, Michigan. He remained a member of Post 341 in Birnamwood. He was also a lifetime VFW member. Additionally, he was also a proud member of the Birnamwood Bowhunters Association.
Richard was passionate about the outdoors and loved hunting deer and turkeys. Both hunting seasons were his and Lois’ favorite times of year, as they shared a special bond over hunting. He frequently went fishing with a close group of friends at the 7-Mile in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula. Another favorite time of year for him was the Fourth of July. He spent most of these holidays back in Munising, visiting old friends and family.
Richard will also be remembered as a die-hard Detroit Lions fan. He watched his football games every Sunday during the NFL season. He rarely missed a Lions game.
He was survived by his children, Dana Blank, of Ovid, Michigan, Beth (Tim) Walter, of New London, North Carolina; his grandchildren, Katrina Tefft, of Greensboro, North Carolina, and Alyssa (Andrew) Owens, of Reidsville, North Carolina; great-granddaughter, McKenzie Owens; his brothers, Fred (Lynn) Blank and Jim (Darlene) Fromm; daughter, Jolene Burg, of Rhinelander; many nieces and nephews; and beloved caretaker, Shanice Robinson and family.
Richard was preceded in death by his parents, William Blank and Mary Jo Blank; his wife, Lois Blank; sister, Patricia (Don) Monette; sister, Dedra J. Blackwelder; and his nephew, Dean Monette.
Schmidt and Schulta Funeral Home, Birnamwood, is serving the family. Memories and message of support may be shared at www.schmidtschulta.com.
