TRIBUTE TO FRANK N. BLANCHARD, JR.
Frank Blanchard recently passed away at age 91, having lived a rich and significant life. He will be remembered by all who knew him as a kind, soft-spoken gentleman. He was dedicated to the students in the Department of Geology and was a professional in every sense of the word.
Frank’s family background is fascinating, growing up the son of two prominent Ph.D. biologists from the University of Michigan, and from a familial group of academicians dating back to the 19th century. He certainly wasn’t “the first to graduate from college” in his family. Frank earned a B.S., M.S., and Ph.D. from the University of Michigan, majoring in geology. He began his career at the University of Florida in 1958, as an Interim Assistant Professor, and was promoted to Assistant Professor in 1961, when his doctorate degree was conferred (a common practice in academia in those days!). He moved through the professorial ranks, achieving the rank of Full Professor in 1976. Upon retirement, he was granted Professor Emeritus status.
Mineralogy and Crystallography were Frank’s specialties, and he was the department supervisor of the X-ray Diffractometer and Scanning Electron Microscope. He taught an array of courses. Every undergraduate geology major during his tenure, was enrolled in Dr. Blanchard’s Mineralogy course (required for a geology degree), and he enjoyed among the highest teacher evaluations throughout his career. He was recognized for Superlative Teaching and nominated three times for Outstanding Teacher of the Year.
Dr. Blanchard was the author or co-author of numerous peer-reviewed publications. He published more than 100 X-Ray Powder Diffraction files for the International Center for Diffraction Data. Frank was the recipient of major research grants from the Florida Institute of Phosphate Research.
Bowling, water skiing, dancing, and wild life photography were among Frank’s social pursuits. Invitations to his family home at Cowpen Lake were always enthusiastically accepted. He tirelessly pulled water skiers around the lake (when they weren’t enjoying his hospitality around picnic tables!). His wife of 51 years, Mary Gene, was the central core of his family. Together, they raised four children, who were the loves of their lives.
Frank Blanchard had a positive impact on the scholastic reputation of the department. He touched the lives of thousands of students, providing outstanding instruction. Inspiration to excel is his legacy to students. There is no better epitaph that a professor can achieve.
Respectfully submitted,
Tony Randazzo, Professor Emeritus