Marshall Blankenship M.D.

1933 - 2015

Dr. Marshall L. Blankenship, M.D., age 81, of Chicago, Illinois, died peacefully in his home on January 18, 2015, after a long illness. Beloved husband of 56 years to Barbara (nee Kanchier), devoted father to Kathryn and Marshall (Susan), brother of Dr. Sherrill Blankenship (Peggy) of Bellingham, Washington, and uncle of several nieces and nephews. Marshall was born on December 10, 1933 in Ramsey, Illinois. He received his undergraduate and M.D. degrees from the University of Illinois. After service in the US Army, he completed his residency in dermatology at Northwestern University Medical School. In addition to his private practice in Oak Lawn, Illinois, Marshall was on the consulting staff of St. Francis Hospital in Blue Island, Illinois. He was also a faculty member at Northwestern University, followed by 30 years on the faculty of the Department of Dermatology at Rush-Presbyterian St. Luke's Medical Center where he retired as Professor Emeritus. Marshall was known to his colleagues, residents, nurses, and patients as a compassionate, caring physician and was awarded the National Practitioner of the Year Award by the American Academy of Dermatology in 1997. Marshall was active at all levels of organized dermatology, both nationally and internationally. He was president of the Chicago Dermatological Society in 1976, which awarded Marshall its Founders Award (1994) and Gold Medal (2001). He was on the organizing committee for the Illinois Dermatological Society and served as its president in 1978. From 1986 to 1990, Marshall was a member of the Board of Directors of the American Academy of Dermatology and long-time member of the American Dermatological Association. He was also a board member of the International Society of Dermatology, Secretary-Treasurer of the Foundation for International Dermatologic Education, past Director of the Noah Worcester Dermatological Society, former trustee of the Dermatology Foundation, and member of the Great Lakes Dermatological Society. Marshall traveled extensively, collected stamps, enjoyed cooking and the arts, and had an avid interest in Sherlock Holmes. He was a member of Hounds of the Baskervilles, the Chicago scion society of the Baker Street Irregulars, as well as several other Sherlockian societies. Visitation will be on Monday January 26th from 9:30 am until the time of Mass 10:30 a.m. at Holy Name Cathedral, 735 North State Street, Chicago. Services will conclude at the church. Private family interment. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that memorials be directed to the Dermatology Foundation 1560 Sherman Avenue, Suite 870, Evanston, Illinois 60201. The family would like to extend special thanks to L'Tanya Marlow for her devoted care giving. Information: Adolf Funeral Home- Willowbrook, 630-325-2300