Obituary of Robert E. Blanchard

Dr. Robert E. Blanchard of 268 Golf Course Rd. finished the final chapter of life on May 22, 2011 with his wife at his side. An avid reader, Dr. Blanchard's early chapters were written in Belfast, Maine, the son of Horace and Doris Whittaker Blanchard. His next chapters were written at Oberlin College in Ohio B.A. 1949 and Tuft's Medical College in Boston where he earned his medical degree in 1953. After an internship at Portland General Hospital, He was drafted into the army and spent 18 months on Formosa Taiwan. In 1957 he joined a residency program in internal medicine at Rochester General Hospital. Here he met his wife, Helen Kansas, his intern; a union that lasted almost 54 years. In 1960 he established a practice in Amsterdam and was on the staff of both Amsterdam Memorial and St. Mary's hospitals. After 35 years, he retired to the ending chapters, enjoying reading, traveling, his land and especially his family. Sequels to his book are being written by his children: Thomas E. Barbara of Hagaman, NY, John K. Karen of Mayfield, NY, Robert A. Mary of Canastota, NY and Margaret E. Montgomery C. Timothy of Manassas, VA and the "other" son Michael O'Brien Anita of Gaffstown, NH. Future sequels will be written by his seven grandchildren Dianna, Christina, Jonathan, Nicholas Clarynne, Amanda, Joshua and Zachary. He is predeceased by his parents and his brother Frederick. He would say it was a good book. Bob quipped that he did not want a funeral since he would not be available. The family is honoring his request. The family requests contributions in his memory be made to New York Oncology Hematology, 1700 Riverfront Center, Amsterdam, NY 12010 or River Ridge Living Center LLC, 100 Sandy Drive, Amsterdam, NY 12010, both have given him outstanding care in his final years and weeks.