MONTGOMERY, Ala. - Dr. Richard L. "Dick" Blanchard was born in Hutchinson, Kan., on May 2, 1933, and died on Sept. 16 at Jackson Hospital in Montgomery, Ala.

Dick graduated from Hutchinson High School in 1951, Hutchinson Junior College in 1953 and earned a BS degree in chemistry from Fort Hays State College in 1955. He went on to receive an MS degree in nuclear physics from Vanderbilt University in 1958, and in 1963, a PhD degree in radiochemistry from Washington University in St. Louis.

Dr. Blanchard served as a commissioned officer in the United States Public Health Service for 27 years, retiring in 1983, followed by 25 years as a radiation consultant, retiring in 2008.

Dr. Blanchard will be buried in Buhler Municipal Cemetery West in Buhler, Kan., with a graveside service at 10 a.m. on Tuesday with Elliott Mortuary, Hutchinson, Kan., directing.

He is survived by his wife of 38 years, Norma Whitlow Blanchard, Montgomery, Ala.; two children, Mark Blanchard, Haines, Alaska, and Laura Blanchard, Hancock, Maine; a grandson, Sam Mathews, Fort Wright, Ky.; a brother, Dr. Robert Blanchard, San Diego, Calif.; three stepchildren, William Brand, Jeffrey Brand and Kaye Horn, Mayfield, Ky.; and three step-grandchildren, Max Brand, Amanda Samples and Bridge Horn, Mayfield, Ky.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Fort Hays State University for the benefit of the Chemistry Department.

Visit www.elliottmortuary.com to leave a message for Dick's family.