Samuel Robert “Bob” Blanchett, 94 years old, of Cape Girardeau and formerly of Jackson, passed away Tuesday, August 4, 2020 at the Lutheran Home in Cape Girardeau.
He was born September 16, 1925 in Meade County, Kansas, son of Joseph Robert and Nettie Weber Blanchett, and was one of seven children. He married Arlene Hall January 16, 1944 in Dodge City, Kansas.
Bob and his family lived in Minneola, Kansas where he worked for the Natural Gas Pipeline of America. They were transferred to Hoffman, Illinois; Victoria, Texas; and then to Jackson, Missouri, in 1966. He was a long-time member of New McKendree United Methodist Church in Jackson and was very involved in the Jackson Senior Center in Jackson, washing dishes and delivering meals on wheels. He had many talents and was the guy who fixed your broken things or drove you to your doctor appointments.
Bob and Arlene enjoyed traveling in their RV with a “posse” of brothers, sisters, and family friends, all over the United States. They spent winters in Mesa, Arizona and later in Pharr, Texas. He loved playing card games, dominoes, and board games. His comment, when dealt a bad hand, was always, “Great gobs of goo!” His golf swing ended with “Bear’s butt,” when the ball didn’t go far and straight… his language could become saltier as his game degraded.
No one enjoyed eating lunch on a picnic bench more than Bob, and he referred to himself as a “picnic kind of guy.” He was an avid St. Louis Cardinal fan; to him, they were the Redbirds when they were winning and the deadbirds when they were losing.
Every summer, while working at the pipeline, Bob would hire a couple young men to do odd jobs, such as mowing the premises. You knew it wasn't a compliment when he called you “summer help.” On the other hand, being called a “good woman” by Bob, meant he considered you a good worker and one he didn’t mind buying an extra pair of shoes.
We will remember your humor and ways with the English language. The family will miss that and miss you.
Survivors include; three children, Les (Jane) Blanchett of Victoria, Texas, Carolyn (Charlie) Snyder of Conway, Arkansas, and Bruce (Darla) Blanchett of Anna Illinois; four grandchildren, Amy Blanchett, Josh Blanchett, Matt Blanchett and Gabe Snyder; four great-grandchildren; and a sister, Cleo (Darrell) Hughes of Dodge City, Kansas.
He was preceded in death by his wife of nearly 75 years, Arlene; two sisters, Nettie Lorraine Axline and Wilma Hall; and two brothers, Joseph Truman Blanchett and Orville Leo Blanchett.
A memorial visitation will be from 10 to 11 a.m. Friday, August 21, 2020 at McCombs Funeral Home and Cremation Center in Jackson. A memorial service will be at 11:00 a.m. Friday, at the funeral home, with the Rev. Jimmie Corbin officiating.
Many heartfelt thanks from Bob’s family go out to the Lutheran Home, Lutheran Home Hospice, and all staff that attended to and took care of him.
The family suggests that contributions be made to New McKendree United Methodist Church in Jackson.
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