Richard William Blank

     Richard William Blank, age 90, of Ovid, MI, passed away Wednesday, November 4, 2026, at Welcome Home Assisted Living, Owosso, MI.
     Per Richard’s wishes, cremation has taken place, and services be announced at a later date.
     Richard was born in Munising, MI on March 3, 1936, the son of William Blank and Mary Jo (Dolaski) Blank. He graduated from Northern Michigan University with a bachelors in Education specializing in the sciences. Before going to college, Richard served in the U.S. Navy towards the end of the Korean War.
     While living in Marquette, Richard began working for the U.S Forestry Service. He was then transferred to Rhinelander, WI, where he met Lois Dorothy Passuello. On May 4, 1974, Richard married Lois Dorothy (Passuello) Blank in Rhinelander. The spent over 50 years together prior to her passing on May 22, 2024.
    After working in Rhinelander for four years, he was then transferred to East Lansing where he had two offices and research labs at Michigan State University. While he was there, he specialized in entomology and fire science. He has two inventions related to fire science currently in the U.S. Forestry Hall of Fame in Texas.
     Richard was an active member of the American Legion, serving as Commander in Post 269 in Haslett, MI, and Post 341 in Birnamwood, WI. He was also active in the VFW. He was a proud member of the Birnamwood Bowhunters Association.
     Richard was passionate about the outdoors, and loved to hunt deer and fish in his spare time. He frequently went fishing with a close group of friends at the 7-Mile in the Upper Peninsula. Richard also loved going back to his home in Munising every 4th of July to spend time with old friends and family. He spent his retirement working on the Blank-A-T-Blank Christmas Tree Farm in Birnamwood, WI, with Lois.
     Richard will also be remembered as a die-hard Detroit Lions fan. He never missed a game on Sunday.
     He was survived by his children: Dana Blank of Ovid, MI; and Beth (Tim) Walter of New London, NC; his grandchildren: Katrina Tefft of Greensboro, NC; and Alyssa (Andrew) Owens of Reidsville, NC; great-grandchild: McKenzie Owens; his brothers: Fred (Linda) Blank, and Jim (Darlene) Fromm; daughter Jolene Burg of Rhinelander, WI; many nieces and nephews; and beloved caretaker Shanice Robinson and family. Richard was preceded in death by his parents William Blank and Mary Jo Blank; his wife Lois Blank; sister Patricia Monette; and his nephew Dean Monette.
    Online condolences can be sent to www.smithfamilyfuneralhomes.com. The family is being served by Smith Family Funeral Homes - Houghton Chapel, Ovid, Michigan, and Schmidt-Schulta Funeral Home in Birnamwood, Wisconsin.