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Lurton Blassingame Obituary
In 1967, he and Carolyn came to Oshkosh; Lurton came to teach History and be the first Assistant to the Dean of the College of Letters and Science. Before he retired in 1994, he was Associate Professor, Associate Dean of the College and then Coordinator of the Urban and Regional Studies Program. During those years he published in various journals and reference works.
From his earliest years in Oshkosh Lurton was constantly active in community affairs. He served on the Oshkosh Plan Commission for 23 years, 15 as its Chair during which a hotel, currently the Best Western Premier Hotel, was planned and completed. He served on the Oshkosh River Beautification Committee, the Fox River Development Committee which developed what is now the Oshkosh River Walk, the Oshkosh Environmental Advisory Committee, the Oshkosh Advisory Parks Committee, and was a Board member and secretary of the Oshkosh Symphony. He was a member of Leadership Oshkosh, Winnebagoland Focus, served on several Committees of the East Central Regional Planning Commission, on the Boards of the Northeast Wisconsin Land Trust and SOAR (Special Opportunities of Artists in Residence), and as a member for two years on a Wisconsin Housing and Economic Development Authority grant reviewing committee. He was president of the Evergreen Residents Council (2015- 2017), for 14 years was a Board member of the Oshkosh Public Library and the Winnefox Library System Board (serving once as president), and in 2018 was a member of the Oshkosh Plan Update Committee.
Lurton was awarded the City of Oshkosh's "Community Partner Award" in 2013, and in 2015 the Oshkosh Committee on Aging's "Lifetime Volunteer Award", and, from the Oshkosh Chamber of Commerce's, "Lynne Webster Leadership Award".
At the time of his death, Lurton was a member of the Oshkosh Sustainability Advisory Board, a member of the Oshkosh Area United Way Community Investment Committee, the Oshkosh Committee on Aging, and the Downtown Oshkosh Rotary.
Lurton was an active member of the First Congregational Church. He served on its Board of Trustees, its Reorganization Committee, Board of Benevolence, and Prayer Circle. At the time of his death he was a member of its Personnel and Finance Ministry Groups.
Lurton always cared about the environment and was an enthusiastic fisherman, bow and grouse hunter. For several years he was an active member of Trout Unlimited, and the Ruffed Grouse Society. He was a voracious reader and loved learning in any form. He and Carolyn enjoyed bicycling, traveling, cross country and downhill skiing, especially Christmas vacations, with their sons in different locations.
Lurton loved his family, cherished his friends and served his community. He is survived by his wife of 54 years, Carolyn; two sons, Wyatt and Curtis; and his five grandsons, Ross, Nolan, Emmet, Canyon, and Ace.
A memorial service will be held at 3:00 p.m. on Saturday, March 14, 2020 at First Congregation Church, 137 Algoma Blvd. with Rev. Nancy Taylor officiating. A visitation will be held from 1:00 p.m. until the time of the service.
In lieu of flowers, a memorial will be established for the Oshkosh Beautification Committee.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Memories and Condolences
for Lurton Blassingame
Sponsored by the Oshkosh Northwestern.
Jean Renando
July 4, 2024
Carolyn
We didn't know Luton had passed.
Are you still in Oshkosh?
We had so many good times with you and Lurton.
Jean Renando
Deanie Minniear
July 11, 2023
Lurton was truly a man committed to his family and to his community. I have fond memories of riding the Oshkosh buses and observing Lurton in deep concentration as he rode the same. He and Carolyn were adept at encouraging others (like me) to become involved in many community organizations like the Oshkosh Public Library, the Oshkosh Committee on Aging, and Planned Parenthood.
The entire Blassingame family was a credit to the Oshkosh community and it was a privilege to know them all!
Family
January 11, 2023
She owe me 25 dollars I need to prepair for my family's funeral and hospital bill but my condolences if u need food share I'm here u have to apply or I can do it for u
Bob & Joanne Brinker
March 8, 2021
Just found out about Lurton's passing while looking up friends from Oshkosh with whom we traveled on several trips. Lurton and Carolyn
stayed with us twice in Milton-Freewater, Oregon while visiting a son
as I remember, in Seattle. We stayed with them on a visit to Oshkosh
in 1998. Somewhat of a shock....certainly enjoyed his and Carolyn's
friendship.
Roger Payne
May 23, 2020
I am so sorry to see this sad news but am moved to see from his obituary what a model life he lived. He and I were college roommates and before that classmates at Horace Mann School in Riverdale, New York. It is clear from the obituary and all of the memories that others have posted that he lived a strong and worthwhile life.
In light of that I thought a story might be welcome that would help to establish that his youth was also very human.
He and I were two of four roommates who had all been at Horace Mann and roomed together in our Freshman year. We lived on the 4th floor of Harvard's Wigglesworth Hall. Our living room had a good view of Harvard Square and I recall seeing Dwight Eisenhower pass through during his successful campaign for the Presidency. He was standing in an open car, seated high above the crowd. It was also that year that Tensing Norgay and Edmund Hillary became the first to climb Mt. Everest. Anyway, that's the year I'm talking about.
Lurt (as we all called him) and I were smokers. One day while he was studying he dropped an ash from his pipe onto the cushion of his desk chair and it started to smoulder. He finally noticed it by smelling the smoke, He got water from the bathroom and quenched it. But the combination of smoke and the wet cushion smelled so awful he took the cushion into the living room and traded it for dry one from our decrepit couch (for which he and I had each paid half--$4.00 each, I think). About this time I came back to the room to get some music for a Gleeclub rehearsal, smelled smoke and asked Lurt what it was, He explained the problem and said that the fire was out.
A few minutes later he left for the Library and I left for Gleeclub rehearsal. As I walked across Harvard Yard I heard fire engines. I could hear them stop in what seemed to be the general vicinity of Wigglesworth Dorm. Hmmm. I clearly recall thinking; "Oh, that must be our room." But so irresponsible was I that I thought it more important not be late for Gleeclub. Lurt later told me he had heard the engines too but figured that one of our other roommates would handle it. (Ah... the irresponsibility of youth!).
Harvard has always had a town/gown problem. Back then most firemen hated Harvard students. There had been no one else in our suite and when I got home after rehearsal the firemen had absolutely trashed the place. They had thrown the sofa out of the window. But the window was too small for it to fit through so they'd smashed the window utterly The firemen had also used plenty of waterso much, in fact, that by the time I returned the third floor landing of the stairwell was a pond and it was clear that the stairway above it from our floor had been a cascade.
But we were uindaunted boys. In fact, this gave all of us inspiration; and in subsequent months that Wigglesworth Hall stairway experienced some noble water fights, and spectacular cascades down more than just the top flight of stairs, I can assure you.
Lurt eventually invested in a super water pistol. We were all jealous of it. He also helped me with our "secret weapon" (an inflated section of bunsen burner tubing knotted at one end and vastly expanded by water pressure from the bathroom sink into what became an anaconda-length tube of water under high pressure. You wrapped it around your body under your clothing and threaded the end of the tube down your sleeve. Holding the tip bent over in your hand, you would wander around looking normal and find someone with a water pistol and dare them to squirt you (harmless). And then you would more or less drown them from head to toe with a stream of water that lasted at least 20 seconds and had enough force to knock over a flower pot once. And that would precipitate another major water fight complete with cascades down the stairway (one time they went all the way down to the ground floor and the place took two days to dry out).
Lurt was my accomplice in that effort. It added to our already good friendship. I wish I had kept in better touch with him.
I ended up studying whales (I still am) and have consequently spent much of my life out of the country.
I share your loss. He was a lovely and very human guy.
Elizabeth Fay
May 2, 2020
My father, a Notre Dame "Domer" and sports writer lectured me one day about the qualities of an agent and Lurton Blassingame's name came up. I never forgot that name! I googled him and it was strange but he had died the day before! I guess he must have been much younger than my father as my dad passed away in 1981 at the age of 62. May God be with our families, living and dead and may the souls of the faithfully departed throught the mercy of God rest in peace. Amen. {Bill Fay's Daughter}
April 12, 2020
A dear friend since high school days and regular mail and telephone pal since the move to Oshkosh with Carolyn, who, with her work with immigrants, he never failed to describe as the work of an angel. I've lived so long without seeing him in the flesh I know him well in the soul. It remains with us for all who open themselves to him.
Tony B
March 31, 2020
Please accept my sincere condolences for the loss of your loved one. May (1 Thessalonians 4:14) bring you some comfort in knowing that there is a future for the ones we have lost in death. May the God of all comfort strengthen your family during this time of deep sorrow.
Lisa Rudolph
March 18, 2020
Lurton was a humble gentleman. He always carried a smile and a compliment or positive remark with him that he shared readily. I always enjoyed looking up and seeing him in the Oshkosh Public Library which he loved so well. I will miss his enthusiasm for life.
March 15, 2020
Lurton and I often worked together on committees and other affairs at UW Oshkosh. I had joined the faculty in philosophy in 1964. We were joined together by various mutual interests and sometimes dined together. My sons Michael and Christopher, now in their fifties, well remember playing with Wyatt and Curtis. Another bond was the fact that Marjorie has a Masters Degree in Mathematics from Radcliffe so Lurton and she were alums. Alas, when Lurton retired and I labored on in academe, we saw far too little of one another.
The entire Burr family here expresses its profoundest condolences to the entire Blassingame family.
John R. Burr
March 15, 2020
He truly fit the phrase a Gentleman and Scholar. When I interviewed for a faculty position in the Psychology Department in 1976 Lurton interviewed me in place of the dean. I remember he was kind, interesting and thoughtful, just as he was when I saw him late last fall.. Al Hartman
Sue Panek
March 12, 2020
I have known and worked with Lurton for more than 20 years. He was a stellar volunteer for the Oshkosh Area United Way serving for many years on our community investment committee where we recommended programs to receive United Way Funding. I also served "shoulder-to-shoulder" cooking pancakes and sausages at events like Breakfast with the Bunny or serving "adult beverages" at Waterfest. Lurton truly exemplified the Rotary moto, "Service Above Self," and his commitment to his family was second to none. I will miss him dearly and pray that Carolyn and the boys find strength and peace in his legacy.
March 12, 2020
Lurton,
The consummate gentleman! Loved working with Lurton in LO, OSO, and a number of other endeavors. Great man for Oshkosh!
Carolyn - your family is in my prayers.
Vicki Beltran
John Fuller
March 11, 2020
Lurton was a true Renaissance man. He loved knowledge and let other light their candles from it. Truly will he be missed in the Oshkosh community.
Tina Schuelke
March 11, 2020
Carolyn and family, I send heartfelt condolences. Lurton, you are deeply missed, and your legacy of giving and leading is so appreciated. Godspeed, Dear Man!
Tom and Janet Zak
March 11, 2020
Lurton was a real gentleman. Very thought provoking and very active in his community and church. He will be missed by all. Condolences to his family.
Gretchen Herrmann
March 10, 2020
Lurton was the best.
I'll miss him. Prayers for Carolyn and the rest of the family that will miss him most. May all find comfort in sweet memories. <3
Paula Seeley
March 10, 2020
So incredibly sorry to see this...my husband Dave Seeley and Lurton enjoyed fine bourbon. What a gentleman
Tom and
March 10, 2020
Lurton was a real gentleman. Very thought provoking and very active in his community and church. He will be missed by all. Condolences to his family.
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