Richard Blanchard

Richard Emerson “Dick” Blanchard died Monday, April 29, 2019 at Villa Rancho Bernardo in San Diego, CA. He was born March 21, 1921 in Hartford, Connecticut joining siblings Lillian (M. Dowden) and Louie Blanchard, children of Louis Blanchard and Louise Theroux. They were later joined by a third son Bill Blanchard. The family soon lost their home and business in the stock market crash, and the children all grew up to be self-sufficient and industrious. At the start of World War 2 the 3 boys and their brother-in-law, Jim Dowden, each enlisted in a different branch of the armed forces, and all of them became radio operators. Dick enlisted in the Marine Corps and joined Carlson’s Raiders, which took him all through the South Pacific Islands. After the war he married Ruby Conway, and settled in Oceanside, CA. They had two sons, Richey (1946-2012) and Bruce (1949-1983). He later married Jeanne Wilde, then Josephine Kovach. He and Jo started a business, Dime and Dine, stocking businesses like Seven Eleven and Camp Pendleton in Oceanside with snack foods. They “retired “in 1987 and started a new life managing motels. After retiring again, Dick worked as a bus driver for other retirees at The Village in Hemet. As the last of his line, he called himself “the last leaf on the tree”.

As a long-time resident (30+ years) at Casa Del Rey Mobile Home Park, Dick specially enjoyed playing poker and Pinochle with fellow residents, and cribbage with his sister-in-law. Florence Blanchard. His nephew, David Blanchard, was a close companion in his later years. And is handling details for his cremation and placement at Riverside National Cemetery. He will be missed by family and friends. “Semper Fi” Dick!