Charles David Blencke

Born April 2, 1943, in Jersey City, New Jersey, Dave was the last of four children of parents George and Anne Blencke.

He attended Rutgers University and joined the ROTC. After receiving his BA in History, he enlisted in the Army and was sent to officer training school and then to Vietnam. He returned in 1967 from Vietnam to Fort Polk, where he met his soul mate, Diana Lynn Bass.

The two married shortly after and had their first child, Alicia Lynn, about a year later. God continued to bless them with sons, Charles David, Jr (aka Bubba) and Christopher Edward within the next three years. After a long break, God added one more to the team, Samantha Diane.

In 1969 Dave joined the Boise Southern corporation and the family moved to DeRidder, Louisiana. Over his 33-year career at Boise, he was promoted through several positions, including a rotation through Fort Francis, Ontario in 1989 as plant manager. He retired as the Vice President of Southern Operations and the Deridder Mill Manager. Though accomplished in his career, his real success, he would routinely express, was to be measured by the quality relationships and many special, lasting friendships he acquired. He retired in 2002 and continued to reside in DeRidder for the rest of his days. You could frequently find him at the Ranch, on a tractor, or entertaining family, friends, and strangers. If you knew Dave, and even if you didn’t, you were likely invited to the Ranch.

Dave was spiritual, with a deep and personal Christian faith which he expressed as a devote Catholic. He lived his life by a strong moral and ethical code, always looking for the “right” and to place the interest of others before himself. Second to this faith were the value of his relationships. With an authentic interest and genuine empathy, he engaged strangers all over the world and would quickly develop meaningful and lasting relationships.  Many became lifelong friendships. Though these friendships were sacred, his lifeblood was family in which he invested with few limits. He unselfishly and unconditionally gave his time, treasure, and love.

We thank God for the special gift that was his life and the time we spent with him. We pray that God will quickly fill this wide hole in our hearts with the many special memories of our time with him.

With a heart too big for this life, Dave loved like no other. He passed on Fathers’ Day at age 79. “And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love.” 1 Corinthians 13:13.

Those left to cherish his memory are his loving wife of 54 years, Diana Bass Blencke of DeRidder, LA; children (and their spouses), Alicia Blencke and Nancy McConeghy of McKinney, TX, Charles “Bubba” David Blencke and Courtney Durant Blencke of Houston, TX, and Samantha Blencke Kelty and Robert Kelty of Washington, DC; sisters, Catherine Gray and her spouse, Mike Gray of Monroe, LA and Gail Gray of St. Joseph, LA; grandchildren, Gunther Blencke, Ava Blencke, Faye Blencke, Atis Kelty, and Aoife Kelty and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, family and friends.

He was preceded in death by his son, Christopher Edward Blencke; parents, George and Anne Blencke, and sister, Jeanine Blencke.

Visitation will be held on Friday, June 24, 2022, from 5:00 PM until 8:00 PM at Myers Colonial Funeral Home in DeRidder, LA. Funeral service will be at 11:00 AM, Saturday, June 25, 2022, at St. Joseph Catholic Church in DeRidder, LA. Msgr. Daniel A. Torres will officiate the service.

Pall bearers are Farrell Soileau, Dr. Chris Granger, Dr. Todd Fazio, Jack Bass, Steve Presley, and Tim Byrd.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that you consider a donation to Cystic Fibrosis Foundation, Gulf Coast Chapter, 4265 San Felipe St., Suite 1100, Houston, TX 77027.

“When you see me coming, you’ll know I’m there,” Dave Blencke.