Franklin Robert Blatt

Mr. Franklin Robert Blatt, 66, a resident and well known attorney in Harrisonburg, died unexpectedly Friday, October 4, 2013 at his residence. A son of the late Harry and Mary Mitchell Blatt, he was born on April 2, 1947 in Alexandria, Virginia. After playing football at Emory & Henry College, he transferred and graduated from East Tennessee State University in 1970 and Memphis Law School in 1973. Franklin recently retired from his law office “Franklin R. Blatt Law Office” after many years of service to the Harrisonburg community. He was a member of the Virginia State Bar and The Virginia Bar Associations, the American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers, Rockingham Bar and American Bar Associations, and the Virginia Trial Lawyers Association. In May 2011, he received the Lifetime Achievement Award of Family Law Section, of the Virginia State Bar. Mr. Blatt was a member of Temple Beth El, B.P.O.E. #450, Harrisonburg Rotary Club and Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation. On June 18, 1988 he married Candace Ford Blatt who preceded him in death on April 26, 2009. Surviving is a step-son, Steven F. Hensley and wife, Mary, of Macungie, PA; four grandchildren, Hailey, Haydn, Kennedy and Jackson Hensley; three brothers, Steven M. Blatt & wife, Jane-Perry N. of Harrisonburg and their children, Katherine E., Ashley M. and Emily L. Blatt; Randall E. Blatt of Paris, France, and Rodney H. Blatt of Harrisonburg. Funeral services will be held Friday at 11:00 am at Temple Beth El with Rabbi Joe Blair officiating. Burial will follow in Woodbine Cemetery. Members of the family will receive friends from 6:00 until 8:00 Thursday evening at the Lindsey Harrisonburg Funeral Home. The casket will be closed. Memorial contributions may be sent to Temple Beth El, P. O. Box 845, Harrisonburg, VA 22803. Online condolences may be sent to the family by visiting www.lindseyharrisonburg.com