Howard Byron Blanchard Jr.
January 1, 1927 ~ April 3, 2016
It is with sadness that we announce the sudden loss of Howard "Bud" Blanchard, Jr. He was loving and dearly loved. Bud was born in Omaha, Nebraska on January 3, 1927 to Howard and Betty (nee' Inglis) Blanchard. He had one brother, Mervin, who was his shadow and companion in those early years. At ten, his family moved to Washington, D. C. He spent a lifetime of summers at Plum Point, Maryland on the Chesapeake Bay where he sailed, searched for shark's teeth and enjoyed family. He graduated from Massanutten Military Academy in 1944. Although he lived in the East, Bud never lost his love of the Midwest nor his identification with and connections to Omaha.
Following in the footsteps of his father who had piloted rigid airships during WWI, Bud dreamed of flying. The Army needed pilots during WWII so Bud enrolled in the Army's pre-aviation cadet program at North Georgia College. Unfortunately for Bud, the Army ended the program as the war waned.
In 1945, he attended the USMA prep school at Amherst College before beginning his studies at West Point. While attending college, he founded both the English Literature Club and Spanish Language mess hall table. He was also a member of the Varsity Cross Country team where he developed his lifelong passion of running three miles every day. In May 1950, he graduated and received his commission. West Point offered him the opportunity to stay to teach either Spanish or English; however, Bud had other plans. In June 1950, he married Wendy Corkin of Omaha, whom he met on a blind date while visiting family in Nebraska. A few weeks later, he was shipped to Korea as an Infantry Platoon Leader. Bud was severely wounded in the conflict and was sent to Walter Reed for rehabilitation. He was awarded the Combat Infantryman Badge, a Purple Heart and the Bronze Star, among the many medals and ribbons he received over his 32 years of active duty.
Bud went to flight school at Ft. Sill, Oklahoma where he learned to pilot rotary and fixed wing aircraft. Later, Bud taught ground school and managed aviation logistics. He was also an instructor pilot, a test pilot and was awarded the Master Aviator Badge. He was the Deputy Director for "Project Night Vision," which provided the Army with the technology to see during hours of darkness. Bud had two tours of duty in Vietnam. There he managed the onboard depot for the overhaul of aircraft in Nha Teng Bay. He also flew "low and slow" reconnaissance missions, calling in target locations for USAF jet fighters. One of Bud's favorite extracurricular jobs after Vietnam was flying the WMAL radio traffic helicopter over the D. C. area. As a Colonel, his last assignment before his military retirement in 1979 was Director of Aviation Maintenance at the New Cumberland Army Depot in Pennsylvania. He was responsible for over 1, 000 engineers, technicians and test pilots as well as the repair and overhaul of 130 aircraft serviced daily.
Bud was a lifetime learner. He attended many military schools including the War College in Carlisle Pennsylvania and the Command and General Staff Schools in Ft. Leavenworth, Kansas. In addition to his West Point engineering degree, Bud earned an M.B. A., an M.A. and Ph. d. in Clinical Psychology. He began his new career providing clinical care at Crownsville State (Psychiatric) Hospital. He provided counseling at both St. Mary's College of Maryland and later with a private practice until he died.
Bud and Wendy had five children. Although they remained good friends, military service was too much for the marriage and they divorced in 1968. Bud was devoted to his children. He was a single parent to three of his kids, a job that he found rewarding. He remained a bachelor for 37 years, filling his time with his love of reading and letter writing. Finally, Bud found love with Carolyn Sweeney Kidwell, who shared his love of the Bay and family. They married in June 2005 at Plum Point on the summit of a hill overlooking the Chesapeake Bay. Over the years, Bud and Carolyn spent many years of happiness at their summer home at Plum Point, traveling and spending time with the family that loves them.
Survivors include his beloved wife, Carolyn, his seven children and fifteen grandchildren; Geoff Blanchard and wife, Debbie of Honolulu, HI; Teddy Blanchard and his wife, LeAnn, with Audrey of Atlanta, GA; Scotty Blanchard and his wife, Mary , with Cameron, Travis and Preston of Reading, PA; Amy Ricchetti and her husband, Steve, with Danny, Shannon, Tiger and JJ of McLean, VA; Margie Rhodes and her husband, Bob, with Stephen, Drew, Shelby, Bella and Toni of Clifton, VA; Kim Grant and her husband, Eric, with Lea and Kiley of Fairfax, VA; and Blake Kidwell, of Gaithersburg, MD.
A memorial service will be held at St. Mary's Episcopal Church, 2609 North Glebe Road, Arlington, Virginia on Saturday, May 21st at 2pm with a reception to follow at the home of Amy and Steve Ricchetti. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Chesapeake Bay Foundation.
Funeral Home:
Money & King Funeral Home
171 W. Maple Ave.
Vienna, VA
US 22180
Following in the footsteps of his father who had piloted rigid airships during WWI, Bud dreamed of flying. The Army needed pilots during WWII so Bud enrolled in the Army's pre-aviation cadet program at North Georgia College. Unfortunately for Bud, the Army ended the program as the war waned.
In 1945, he attended the USMA prep school at Amherst College before beginning his studies at West Point. While attending college, he founded both the English Literature Club and Spanish Language mess hall table. He was also a member of the Varsity Cross Country team where he developed his lifelong passion of running three miles every day. In May 1950, he graduated and received his commission. West Point offered him the opportunity to stay to teach either Spanish or English; however, Bud had other plans. In June 1950, he married Wendy Corkin of Omaha, whom he met on a blind date while visiting family in Nebraska. A few weeks later, he was shipped to Korea as an Infantry Platoon Leader. Bud was severely wounded in the conflict and was sent to Walter Reed for rehabilitation. He was awarded the Combat Infantryman Badge, a Purple Heart and the Bronze Star, among the many medals and ribbons he received over his 32 years of active duty.
Bud went to flight school at Ft. Sill, Oklahoma where he learned to pilot rotary and fixed wing aircraft. Later, Bud taught ground school and managed aviation logistics. He was also an instructor pilot, a test pilot and was awarded the Master Aviator Badge. He was the Deputy Director for "Project Night Vision," which provided the Army with the technology to see during hours of darkness. Bud had two tours of duty in Vietnam. There he managed the onboard depot for the overhaul of aircraft in Nha Teng Bay. He also flew "low and slow" reconnaissance missions, calling in target locations for USAF jet fighters. One of Bud's favorite extracurricular jobs after Vietnam was flying the WMAL radio traffic helicopter over the D. C. area. As a Colonel, his last assignment before his military retirement in 1979 was Director of Aviation Maintenance at the New Cumberland Army Depot in Pennsylvania. He was responsible for over 1, 000 engineers, technicians and test pilots as well as the repair and overhaul of 130 aircraft serviced daily.
Bud was a lifetime learner. He attended many military schools including the War College in Carlisle Pennsylvania and the Command and General Staff Schools in Ft. Leavenworth, Kansas. In addition to his West Point engineering degree, Bud earned an M.B. A., an M.A. and Ph. d. in Clinical Psychology. He began his new career providing clinical care at Crownsville State (Psychiatric) Hospital. He provided counseling at both St. Mary's College of Maryland and later with a private practice until he died.
Bud and Wendy had five children. Although they remained good friends, military service was too much for the marriage and they divorced in 1968. Bud was devoted to his children. He was a single parent to three of his kids, a job that he found rewarding. He remained a bachelor for 37 years, filling his time with his love of reading and letter writing. Finally, Bud found love with Carolyn Sweeney Kidwell, who shared his love of the Bay and family. They married in June 2005 at Plum Point on the summit of a hill overlooking the Chesapeake Bay. Over the years, Bud and Carolyn spent many years of happiness at their summer home at Plum Point, traveling and spending time with the family that loves them.
Survivors include his beloved wife, Carolyn, his seven children and fifteen grandchildren; Geoff Blanchard and wife, Debbie of Honolulu, HI; Teddy Blanchard and his wife, LeAnn, with Audrey of Atlanta, GA; Scotty Blanchard and his wife, Mary , with Cameron, Travis and Preston of Reading, PA; Amy Ricchetti and her husband, Steve, with Danny, Shannon, Tiger and JJ of McLean, VA; Margie Rhodes and her husband, Bob, with Stephen, Drew, Shelby, Bella and Toni of Clifton, VA; Kim Grant and her husband, Eric, with Lea and Kiley of Fairfax, VA; and Blake Kidwell, of Gaithersburg, MD.
A memorial service will be held at St. Mary's Episcopal Church, 2609 North Glebe Road, Arlington, Virginia on Saturday, May 21st at 2pm with a reception to follow at the home of Amy and Steve Ricchetti. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Chesapeake Bay Foundation.
Funeral Home:
Money & King Funeral Home
171 W. Maple Ave.
Vienna, VA
US 22180
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Uncle Bud was very special to me. I have appreciated his Christmas letters every year to keep us up-to-date with his life and those of his children and grand children. Years ago he showed my young family the Chesapeake Bay area where he had spend so much time during his childhood; that is a special memory for me. I was happy when he and Carolyn joined together. Bud had so much love to give and I know that she enriched his life in a way that gave him joy. What an impressive life he lived. I so admire him and will miss his presence in my life. The memories will all be good.