Dennis Edwin Blanchard

Born and raised in Iowa, Dennis loved sports from an early age. He was the valedictorian of Belle Plaine High School's Class of 1955 and was awarded the prestigious Nile Kinnick Scholarship to the University of Iowa, named for the Heisman Trophy winner. Although deeply honored, Dennis chose instead to pursue an engineering degree and accepted a football scholarship to Iowa State University in Ames.

While attending Iowa State, Dennis married Janice Robison Blanchard, and together they welcomed a son, Scott, before Dennis graduated in 1959. After suffering a football injury during his sophomore year, he turned his athletic talents to golf, lettering in the sport during his senior year.

After graduation, Dennis moved his family to Richland, Washington to begin his career with General Electric. He was quickly promoted, and just six months later the family relocated to San Jose, California, where they welcomed a daughter, Robyn. After a couple of years in California, Dennis accepted a position with Fisher Controls in Marshalltown, Iowa, and the family was happy to be back home in Iowa.

During his time in Marshalltown, Dennis spent two years commuting to Toluca, Mexico, where he oversaw construction of a new plant. The family even spent one summer living in Toluca. The next chapter took them to McKinney, Texas, where Dennis served as general manager for Fisher Controls plant, and they welcomed a second daughter, Beth.

Later, the family returned to Marshalltown, where Dennis spent several more years with Fisher Controls. Over the course of 20 years with the company, he rose to the position of Executive Vice President. In 1983 the family returned to Texas, where Dennis accepted a position with Lennox Industries, Inc. in materials management in he Dallas/Fort Worth area.

Dennis later moved to Chicago, Illinois, where he continued his career with Emerson in a ball bearings manufacturing plant. He eventually settled in Naperville, Illinois, married Joyce Oldham, and managed three different Emerson plants. When Emerson acquired Fisher Controls, it brought his career full circle. Dennis ultimately retired with 30 years of service with Fisher/Emerson.

Dennis loved golf and travel. Of all the courses he played, Augusta was his favorite. He was fortunate to participate in many pro-ams, where some of his partners included Tom Kite and Fuzzy Zoeller. He golfed all over the world and especially loved playing the courses in Scotland. His family will always treasure his story about playing Pebble Beach for $10.00 - then walking out of the pro shop when the green fees were raised to a whopping $12.50.

Dennis was preceded in death by his parents; Ed and Helen Blanchard; his son Scott Blanchard; grandson Larson Leach; his brother, Beyrl Blanchard; niece, Lynette Blanchard, and his first wife Janice.

He is survived by his daughter, Robyn Zier and husband Mike; his daughter Beth Leach and husband John; his grandchildren, Jordan Zier and wife Krista, Landon Zier and wife Brittany, Hayden Zier, Lexee Leach, and Drake Leach; and his great grandchildren; Caroline, Madeline and Harrison Zier.