Richard Blankmeyer
Richard (Dick) Blankmeyer, loving husband and father, passed away on December 6, 2022 in Albuquerque, New Mexico. He leaves behind his beloved wife of 61 years, Carol; two children, Teresa Blankmeyer Burke and Erik (Rhoberta) Blankmeyer; six grandchildren, Austin (Rebecca) Burke, Hypatia Venerable, Sophia (Mitchell) Blanc, Abigail (Ian) Rogers, Eliza Blankmeyer, and Erik (Julia) Blankmeyer. His two great-grandchildren, Slater and Birdy Blanc were the apples of his eye and brought him much joy and hope in the final chapter of his life.
Dick was born in Anaheim, California to Gladys and Emil Blankmeyer to one of Anaheim’s pioneering families. Dick was an Anaheim boy through and through, playing ball at Pearson Park, marching in the Anaheim Halloween Parade established by his uncle, and attending Disneyland’s opening day with his family. He attended public schools, including Anaheim High School where he excelled on the playing field, having lettered in varsity baseball and water polo for AHS, and in the classroom, earning an ROTC Navy scholarship to the University of Southern California, where he studied History and Social Studies. He was a lifelong USC Trojan fan, and followed his team to the end – USC sports insignia even decorated his hospital room.
As a student at USC, Dick spied his bride Carol while cruising on Balboa Island with his Anaheim buddies. Carol and her high school friends conspired to sneak out of their chaperoned house to meet up with these college men that night. The rest is history. Dick and Carol returned to Balboa and Newport Beach often over the years, celebrating their 60th wedding anniversary there with family and friends in 2021.
After serving out his time in the Navy in San Diego, which included a deployment to Hawaii where Carol joined him, Dick and Carol moved to Orange County, CA where they raised their two children. Dick worked as a banker, starting in the Audit Department of Security Pacific National Bank, and later, as computerized banking began to take hold, turned his keen analytical mind to troubleshooting banking software systems for Security Pacific, and later the Bank of America upon the merger with SPNB. Upon retiring from banking as Vice President at Bank of America, Dick started a new chapter in his work life – teaching adult education history classes focusing on World War II, sports, and twentieth century social movements connected to these topics. His deep and abiding belief in the power and goodness of democracy ran through every class that he taught.
Dick and Carol spent their twilight years in New Mexico in a home that Dick designed to maximize their stunning views of the Sandia Mountains and mesa sunsets. A consummate cat lover, while he doted on Apricot, building her perches and step stools so that she could enjoy the views of local wildlife. Dick and Carol traveled the world, often with a cruise scheduled for the end of the season so that Dick, at heart a sailor who loved the sea, could enjoy the passage across the Atlantic back to North America.
Dick’s ashes will be scattered at sea on March 26 in a private family ceremony for this sailor’s final rest. Following this, all who knew and loved him are invited to join a Celebration of Life reception on March 26 at the Balboa Pavilion. For more information, please contact the family.