John Ronald Blake Jr. M.D.

BLAKE, Jr., John Ronald, M.D.

Dr. Blake passed away peacefully on November 30, 2008, at the age of 82. Born on August 24, 1926, in Washington D.C., he lived there until he attended Duke University in Durham, N.C. He joins his beloved first wife of 16 years, Ann, who passed away in 1992, as well as his daughter Miriam, who passed away in 2003. He is survived by his loving wife of 32 years, Wanda, his two sisters, Miriam and Marta, four children from his first marriage, John III, Emily, Andrea, and Sherman, as well as his two stepsons from his second marriage, Ron and Lars. In addition, six grandchildren and three step-grandchildren survive him.

John achieved his Bachelor of Science in 1946, as well as his M.D. from Duke University School of Medicine in 1950. He then joined the U.S. Maritime Service and Merchant Marines as a Purser-Pharmacist's Mate and remained for one year. This was followed by an internship and assistant residency at Western Reserve University in Cleveland, Ohio. He then joined the Air Force as a Captain, holding the positions of Chief Medical Services Officer, as well as Training Officer for three years. In 1955 he resumed his formal medical training as Assistant Resident Physician at Harvard Medical School. He remained at Harvard to complete his Fellowship in Medicine in 1957 and became a Resident Physician at Harvard the same year.

John had numerous publications in cardiology as well as neurology, was a Diplomate of the National Board of Medical Examiners since 1951 and was listed in "Who's Who in California", twelfth edition (1979 - 1980), as well "Who's Who Historical Society", thirteenth edition (1981 - 1982). Subsequent to this, in 1957 he went into private practice in Sacramento, Calif., where he stayed for the remainder of his career.

John had many interests, but his primary passions were in classical music, particularly opera, literature, genealogy, time travel, and science. He achieved A's at Duke University in chemistry, as well as inorganic chemistry, which translated into a lifetime pursuit.

Many will remember John as a kind, gentle man that was soft-spoken, highly intelligent and caring. He dearly loved his family, including all of his children and grandchildren. We will all truly miss him and remember him with fondness. God bless his soul in eternal peace.

A mass in John's honor will be held at St. Ignatius Catholic Church, 3235 Arden Way, Sacramento, CA 95825, (916) 482-9666, on Saturday, December 13, at 10:00 a.m. followed by a gathering at the church.