Richard "Rich" David Blinne

Richard (“Rich”) David Blinne passed away Sunday morning, September 28th, at Pathways Hospice, following a courageous, four-month-long battle with brain cancer. Son of David and Jean Blinne, Rich was born in Hinsdale, Illinois on October 18, 1961. Several months later, the family moved to Naperville, Illinois, where Rich attended elementary school. In August, 1963, Rich’s brother, John, was born. Following Rich’s elementary years, the Blinnes relocated to Owatonna, Minnesota, where Rich attended junior high and high school.

Rich excelled in academics throughout his high school and college years. He also participated in several extracurricular activities: singing in church and school choirs, playing the clarinet and saxophone in various school bands, along with participating in school musicals and the yearbook staff.

In 1979 Rich entered Iowa State University as a computer engineering student. At his graduation in 1983, he was awarded “The Most Promising Electrical Engineering Student Award.” Afterwards, Rich moved to Wichita, Kansas, to work for NCR. Though NCR has gone through numerous buyouts and name changes since that time, Rich remained employed at this company until the time of his death. His coworkers always considered him a vital member to the team.

Rich met his wife, Rhonda, in the mid-1980’s at “Single Direction,” the young singles group for “Eastminster Presbyterian Church,” in Wichita, Kansas. Rich and Rhonda were married on December 5, 1987. In July 1989 the couple moved to Ft. Collins, Colorado due to Rich’s work transfer. All four of Rich and Rhonda’s children were born at Poudre Valley Hospital in Ft. Collins.

Rich was an active member of First Presbyterian Church. Whether at church, or elsewhere, he provided intellectually-stimulating contributions to discussions. Rich truly loved his family, and supported Rhonda, and their children in all of their respective passions and fields of study—including traveling, music, science, history, and politics.

Rich will be deeply missed by his family, friends, and co-workers. He is survived by his wife, Rhonda; children: Hope, Samuel, and Angela; father, David; and brother, John. He is preceded in death by his infant daughter, Valerie; and his mother, Jean.

A memorial service will be held Saturday, November 1st, at 1:00pm; First Presbyterian Church in Ft. Collins; 513 S. College Ave.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that you make a donation in Rich’s memory to any of the following: the First Presbyterian Church Capital Campaign for the new education wing, The Harmony Cancer Center, or Pathways Hospice.