Robert Randall Blanch

I have many fond memories and laughs when I think of Bob and Winnie, whom I first met back in 1964 when I became friends with Kathy through mutual neighborhood acquaintances. Bob's Volkswagen (my family never had a foreign car!), the Egekvist Bakery ads in the newspaper that featured the Blanch children, and just hanging around the Blanch house are some treasured images. Winnie -- just thinking about some of the conversations makes me laugh still. She greatly admired Hubert Humphrey and had a tiny picture of him glued to the center of one of the rotary dial phones in the house. And then the time she asked Kathy to "electrolux" (photocopy) something for her.

In recent years as we were able to re-unite in Minneapolis with Kathy, Bob and Winnie when the timing worked out, I could sit down with them and it was as if no time had passed at all.

In my last conversation with Bob a couple years ago when they were leaving Minneapolis after a visit, Bob called me to thank me for being a constant friend to his daughter, Kathy. What a sweet thing to do. His final words were, Winnie and I love you. I will treasure that conversation, and greatly admire him for speaking his feelings. I send my love to Bob and Winnie both.

Grandpa,

I love you with all my heart and I thank you for the special memories and qualities I have from you, you and grandma will always be in my heart.

~Love your little angel

thanks for sharing this about your Parents. My Dad wnt last month. G and I wish you & S to find strength in friends and well wishers who present their condolences. I know now sorrow, as you have.

Randy & Kathy,
It was so sad to hear that you lost not just one parent, but both. My heart goes out to each of you. I can empathize, having been through that myself. Take care of yourselves.

Randy, your father's is a wonderful story. No bond can compare to that between a parent and child. My heart felt condolences to you at this sad time

Thank you for your unselfish service to this great nation.

An appreciative American