Menu
Search by Name
Search by Name
Douglas Blank Obituary
Douglas Shannon Blank died unexpectedly at his home in Carmel Valley on June 2, 2004. He was 46. Born in San Diego, June 6, 1957, he attended Mar Vista High School where he was a member of the tennis team. He graduated from UCLA in 1980 with a Bachelor of Science degree in Political Science. In 1985, he received his Juris Doctor degree from Thomas Jefferson School of Law. He was a member of the State Bar of California, the Association of Southern California Defense Counsel, and the Los Angeles County Bar Association. As an attorney, he specialized in civil litigation, trying over 100 cases, including as many as 20 jury trials. In 1997, he formed the law firm of Blank & Associates, a professional corporation, specializing in civil litigation in California. Doug served as a volunteer pro-tem settlement judge for the San Diego Superior Court. In 1992, Doug Blank married Margot Rosenstein, who survives him along with his daughter Kendal, age 9. Other surviving family members include his parents, Bill & Ruth Blank of Coronado, brother Steve Blank, now residing in Michigan, and sister, Diana Blank of San Diego. Doug was an active participant in The Magdalena Ecke YMCA Indian Guides Program, having served this past year as Chief of the Kickapoo Tribe. He and Margot participated in numerous parent activities at La Jolla Country Day School. Doug will be remembered by friends and family because of his easy going sense of humor, his generosity, and his compassion. A memorial service will be held at 10:30 AM Sunday June 6, 2004 at El Camino Memorial - Sorrento Valley Chapel, 5600 Carroll Canyon Road, San Diego. The family requests that, in lieu of flowers, donations be made to Doug's favorite charities: Voices for Children, 2851 Meadow Lark Dr., San Diego, CA 92123; and Send a Kid to Camp, c/o Ecke YMCA, 200 Saxon Rd., Encinitas, CA 92024.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Memories and Condolences
for Douglas Blank
Sponsored by Diana Blank, Doug's sister.
Elaine Bradford-Kubischke
September 8, 2004
Dear Blank Family,
I also only recently heard of Dougs passing. We went through Jr & Sr High School together and were friends. I will as the obituary says "remember Doug for his easy going sense of humor, his kindness and generosity". My prayers are with all of you!!
I will miss you Doug.
My Love, Elaine
Anthony White
August 16, 2004
I only recently heard of Doug's passing. Old friends/associates Ernie Landeros, Eric Hubbard and I have exchanged stories of our experiences w/ Doug over the years we worked & played together. We were deeply saddened to lose such a good friend. We will remember the good times and celebrate our memories. May God bless his family.
Chris Costa
July 2, 2004
Dear Blank Family, I so sorry to hear about Doug's passing. I created a web site for him and he was an absolute joy to work with. He was always very friendly and funny and will be missed. Sincerely, Chris Costa
Angel Ortega
June 22, 2004
Dear Margot & Kendall
My deepest sympathies for the sudden loss. Doug will truley be missed. I will never forget when Doug told me he would be attending our wedding in Texas. On that day, Doug showed me what kind of human being he was, a true kind hearted person. The 2yrs. I worked with Doug, will be cherished for a lifetime. Thanks Doug, for being a "FRIEND" and not just a co-worker.....you will always be remembered.
Angel & Norma
Winifred Green
June 19, 2004
Dear Blank Family,
I am so sorry to hear of Doug's passing. I met Doug at the beginning of the year, when seeking legal representation, and found him to be a caring person. I was still experiencing a lot of pain in my body from an accident that I had in 2003. Well, Doug was concerned about my great discomfort and wanted to not only find out the reasons behind this, but to also provide me with some relief. I was so impressed with this, since my previous attorney was only interested in just recovering money. Doug cared about me as a person. I took great comfort in the fact that I had found such a wonderful attorney. Doug will be sorely missed. May God strengthen and comfort you in your loss.
Tor Ueland
June 14, 2004
Dear Margot & Kendal:
I was shocked & saddened to hear of Doug's passing obviously because of his relatively young age, but more importantly, because he was full of life and ever present with a clever and funny comment.
I knew Doug by sharing season tickets with him and a few other guys. Every spring we got together to divvy up the tickets. This became a time to have some fun, debate the Padres hoped-for prospects, analyze various other teams abilities, but especially to offer our 'sage' baseball opinions. Doug contributed to this little party in all respects; I always enjoyed his funny remarks and his sound baseball opinions.
One of our baseball brothers is gone, but not forgotton and certainly we will miss him every spring and more.
Margot and Kendal, I hope you can be comforted by your fond memories of Doug.
Take care,
Darin Boles
June 11, 2004
Margot and Kendal,
Doug was a wonderful man whom we all admired. He always had something positive to say and found a way to make even mundane court appearances enjoyable. He is missed by everyone in our office. He will be remembered as a very dear friend to all. We are thinking of you and are keeping you in our prayers at this most difficult time.
Sincerely, friends at Aiken & Boles
Julie Lansing (Sanchez)
June 11, 2004
My deepest condolences to the Blank Family. I was fortunate to have crossed paths with Doug when he was a law clerk in Los Angeles. He helped me through a very difficult time in my life, and I will always be grateful for that. He was very caring and sweet.
Many years have passed since we last spoke. I am happy to hear that he led such a fulfilling life and achieved his professional goals. Men like Doug are rare. He had a heart of gold.
Barbara McLaughlin-Ord
June 10, 2004
My sincere condolences to the entire Blank Family. Having grown up in Imperial Beach, my parents were very good friends of Bill and Ruth Blank. Take care and cherish your happy memories
Kind Regards
Barbara
Rick Guido
June 9, 2004
Doug will be sorely missed. He always had a sense of humor and a practical approach to this profession. I had the opportunity to work with Doug in a trial. Truely a good guy and a gentleman.
Peter W. Singer
June 8, 2004
I am very saddened to learn of Doug's untimely death. He was certainly a wonderful individual whose bright and cherry presence will be sorely missed.
Heather Kirkpatrick
June 8, 2004
I was so sad to hear about Doug. My husband and I remember him as being so funny, generous and easy going. He always had a smile. Our thoughts and prayers go to his family, we will be thinking of you.
Marty Mamett
June 7, 2004
Dear Margot and Kendal:
My deepest sympathies for the sudden loss of such a wonderful and caring person. While I was only an honorary member of the UCLA group, the "Pys," Doug was the most good natured and considerate member of the group. He was loved and appreciated by all. I am honored to have known him and to have counted him as a friend. I am sorry that I was unable to attend the service but he and you are in my thoughts. Please know that I am available if you need anything.
Love and condolences. Marty
Jonathan Brenner
June 7, 2004
Dear Margot and Kendal,
Doug was always a bright and positive light in a profession that is often fraught with negative. Everyone who knew Doug liked him very much and those who knew him best loved him deeply. He will be missed by us all.
Jack Clune
June 7, 2004
Dear Margot and Kendal:
Please accept both Tracy's and my deepest condolences. I so admire the compassion and tremendous strength you both showed at the ceremony on Sunday. I know Doug was watching and smiling his inimitable smile. Kendal's reading in Hebrew was especially moving and courageous.
Doug was a fantastic person who was always ready to laugh and have a good time. He was also a great attorney who worked hard and was not afraid to try a case no matter how high the stakes or the odds stacked against him. He was a one-of-a-kind, humble guy in a profession where that is rare. He would drop anything to help another attorney, and he was always optimistic. Doug made me think of a perhaps mythic time when men worked and played hard. I learned so much from him and I will miss him. Tracy and I are so disappointed he will miss our wedding - but we know he is even more disappointed, so we won't hold it against him!
When I got home from work, I would tell Tracy about my day and, frequently, that involved me talking about Doug and imitating his mannerisms and favorite expressions. Doug had such a great sense of humor and unique character, it would never do to just tell the story. I wanted the listener to feel they way I had felt in his presence. . . . captivated, entertained and "in on the secret."
I don't imitate anybody else that way. I always looked forward to seeing Doug again, and I know one day you and Kendal, and me and all his friends, are going to see that sly grin, and hear a big "What's uppppp ?????!!!!" Until then, stay strong and please let us know if we can help in any way.
-Jack Clune & Tracy McReynolds
Don and Jennifer Robert
June 6, 2004
Dear Margot and Kendal,
It is difficult to express the great sadness we have felt over the past few days. It seemed like the sun was always shining on Doug and being in his company always lifted our spirits. His smile, his laugh, and his optimistic outlook on life were special and will be greatly missed.
We will always cherish our recent dinner with your family. After that night we talked about how blessed we were to have you as friends. It had meant so much to us that you had made the effort to stay in touch after we had moved and it means even more now.
Kendal, your Dad was a great father, a great husband, and a great friend. He was loved by so many of us and we are all better people having had your father in our lives.
Our prayers will be with you in days and weeks to come.
Don Allen
June 6, 2004
The Blank Family was part of our (in)famous "Dinner Group" where we all shared good times and spirited debate. Hey big guy, we are going to miss you and all of the laughs we shared on the golf course, 4th of July mornings and over the years. Our deepest sympathies and love go out to Margot, Kendall, and all of their families. Doug will truely be missed.
Love,
Don, Lynn, Tyler and Ashley Allen
Bradenton, Florida
John Boyko
June 5, 2004
Margot,
I know that no one can truly understand your loss. I will always remember Doug and his love of life and of you and Kendell.
As I susptect he would want, I will toast and celebrate those traits and my fond memories of him.
Carrie (Polin) Kaplowitz
June 5, 2004
My deepest sympathy to the Blank family. Doug was a sweet and wonderful friend to me when we were at UCLA. He will be missed by many.
Steve Pederson
June 5, 2004
Doug was a good friend from UCLA/college radio days. I'm shocked and saddened, yet happy to see what a good life, family, and friends he had in his life. He was just such a great guy. I know his loss will leave a huge emptiness in your lives, and you all have my deepest sympathy. Personally, I'll always feel privileged to have known him.
Bob & Sally Trovaten
June 5, 2004
Margot and Kendal
We will miss Doug, our wonderful neighbor, our talks in the driveway, watching him work on projects with Kendal, his laugh, discussing paint colors. All the little things that are so important. You're in our thoughts and prayers. We're here for you both.
John Boyko
June 5, 2004
We will raise our glasses and toast your memory tonight.
Cindi Riddle (Hunziker)
June 5, 2004
I am an old college friend of Doug's from UCLA, and the campus radio station KLA. Doug always kept us laughing with his wonderful sense of humor, and easygoing charm. Many of his friends from KLA will be attending the service tomorrow (including me), and we look forward to meeting Margot, Kendal and Doug's family and expressing our sincere sympathy for their loss. The news of Doug's passing has shocked us. We send our love and thoughts to his family, and know that he will be remembered always.
Alice Kmiechick
June 5, 2004
Fred and I were so shocked and saddened to learn of Doug’s passing. Our hearts are breaking for you. We are so sorry that we can not make it down for the memorial, but please know our thoughts and prayers are with you and Kendal.
With Love & Sympathy,
Alice & Fred Kmiechick
Chris Kelly(maiden- Worley)
June 5, 2004
Doug and I went to Central elementary school together. He was one of the first friends I made when we moved to IB in 65. He lived up on Georgia at that time and I was cati-corner through the big field northeast of him on 15th and Evergreen, behind the Nazerene church. He was a great friend from then til we graduated from Mar Vista high in 1975. He was fun, he was funny and could take ribbing. I knew he would do great things in life and I see from reading his obituary that he did. My thoughts and prayers go out to his mom and dad, his wife but most especially his young daughter who will have the greatest loss in a father that is unreplaceable. Keep in mind that even those you have never met were impacted in a good way by your father.
Don & Karen Ringel
June 5, 2004
Margot, Kendall, and family. Our thoughts and prayers are with you as we remember Doug. His ever present joy & optimisim always brought smiles to our faces, his wit added laughs to our conversations. We can't tell you how much we will miss him.
Olen Golden
June 4, 2004
I wanted to take this opportunity to express my deepest sympathy to the Blank Family in the passing of their son Doug.
I understand that this was sudden and unexpected making this a difficult time for all.
I will keep all of you in my thoughts and prayers as we share the memories and times together as Family, Friends and Fellow Students of Mar Vista High School.
In thoughts and prayers,
Olen Golden
Supervising State Park Ranger
Old Town San Diego S.H.P.
619.417.0184
Mike Willens
June 4, 2004
Like everyone, I was shocked and overwhelmed by Doug's passing, and my deepest sympathies go out to the Blank family at this difficult time. Doug had an easy going way about him that made knowing and working with him a pleasure.
Merris Welch
June 4, 2004
My deepest sympathies to Doug's family. Doug's sense of humor and lighthearted personality will certainly be missed around the office.
John Wende
June 4, 2004
It's been a few years since I've had the opportunity to work with Doug, but he left an indelible impression. A kind, easy-going, and generous gentleman. I always enjoyed conversing with and learning from him.
Thoughts and prayers to the Blank family & friends-he was a great one.
Jeff Jackson
June 4, 2004
I consider myself very lucky to have known and worked with Doug. He will truly be missed.
Pat Helsing
June 4, 2004
Margo and Kendal
Honey, words cannot express the sadness I feel for you and of course the rest of Dougs loved ones. We will never understand the reasons or purpose of Gods Plan. Margot even though I may not see you Sunday I want you to know you are in my thoughts and prayers.
With Lots of Love
Pat Helsing
Tina & Wesley Althoff
June 4, 2004
Margot and Kendal, our thoughts and hearts are with you. Doug will sorely be missed. We are so sorry we are unable to attend the service as we have moved from Mira Mesa to Florida. With all our love, Tina and Wes Althoff
Jack Gilpin
June 4, 2004
May the Good Lord be at your side as you go through through this sad time of Doug`s passing. Jack ---
Leslie Hanks
June 4, 2004
Doug, thank you for your dedication and commitment to Enterprise Rent-A-Car. You were not just a great colleague to work with, but have always been a good friend always lending a hand or sharing some good advice.
Raj Vhan
June 4, 2004
To the Blank family: my thoughts and prayers are with you. Doug was a great human being and I was very lucky to have known him. I looked up to him like a big brother and enjoyed countless conversations filled with humor and good fun. I will miss him dearly. He always had a way to make me laugh whenever we discussed work and I only wish I could have told him how much he meant to me.
Susan Carpenter
June 4, 2004
My deepest saympathy goes to the Blank family. I was so very shocked to find that Doug had passed away.He was a very wonderful person and will be missed by all who knew him. My late husband and I always enjoyed his sence of humor.
My love to Margot and sweet Kendal. May time give you peace and beautiful and happy memories of Doug.
Most sincerely,
Susan
Matt Francis
June 4, 2004
Doug was a great person to work with and great person to know. I'll miss him and our talks about the Bruins.
Rob Rosi
June 4, 2004
Our deepest sympathy to Margot, Kendall and family. Doug was my close friend and golf partner for the last 12 years and the only one I knew who could actually hit a 1-iron. Doug will be remembered for his calm nature, compassion and love of life and family. We consider ourselves blessed by his friendship and will miss truly miss him.
Your friends for life,
Rob, Mary, Rachel and Matthew Rosi
Showing 1 - 39 of 39 results
Make a Donation
in Douglas Blank's name
Memorial Events
for Douglas Blank
How to support Douglas's loved ones
Honor a beloved veteran with a special tribute of ‘Taps’ at the National WWI Memorial in Washington, D.C.
The nightly ceremony in Washington, D.C. will be dedicated in honor of your loved one on the day of your choosing.
Read more
Should I Send Sympathy Flowers?
What kind of arrangement is appropriate, where should you send it, and when should you send an alternative?
Read more
What Should I Write in a Sympathy Card?
We'll help you find the right words to comfort your family member or loved one during this difficult time.
Read moreResources to help you cope with loss
How to Cope With Grief
Information and advice to help you cope with the death of someone important to you.
Read more
Estate Settlement Guide
If you’re in charge of handling the affairs for a recently deceased loved one, this guide offers a helpful checklist.
Read more
Obituaries, grief & privacy: Legacy’s news editor on NPR podcast
Legacy's Linnea Crowther discusses how families talk about causes of death in the obituaries they write.
Read moreWays to honor Douglas Blank's life and legacy
Obituary Examples
You may find these well-written obituary examples helpful as you write about your own family.
Read more
Obituary Templates – Customizable Examples and Samples
These free blank templates make writing an obituary faster and easier.
Read more
How Do I Write a Eulogy?
Some basic help and starters when you have to write a tribute to someone you love.
Read more
