Richard D. Blackburn (1937-2020)

Richard D. Blackburn passed away Monday, Dec. 28, 2020, at the Ascension Via Christi Hospital in Manhattan. He was born Feb. 5, 1937 in Ellsworth, Kan. the son of Paul and Dorothy (Pohle) Blackburn. He graduated from Ellsworth High School and from the University of Kansas School of Pharmacy.
Richard proudly served his country in the United States Army. He had worked for Ricco Pharmacy and Bankes Pharmacy in Abilene until retiring as a pharmacist from Fort Riley.  
Richard was a past member of the Masonic Lodge before joining the Catholic Church. He was a member of the St. Andrew’s Catholic Church and Hospice of Dickinson County.
He is survived by his nephews Robert and Ronald Blackburn of Ellsworth; sister-in-law Young Blackburn of Michigan; his friends Paul and Vicki Sampson of Wakefield, and a host of friends in Abilene and beyond.
Mass of Christian Burial for Richard will be at 10:30 a.m., Monday, Jan. 4, at the St. Andrew’s Catholic Church with Father Don Zimmerman as Celebrant.   A Parish Rosary will be recited at 10 a.m. before the Mass. His final resting place will be in the Mt. St. Joseph Cemetery.  
Friends may sign the register book until service time at the funeral home.  
Memorial contributions may be made to the St. Jude Children’s Hospital, the Shriners Hospital or to the Abilene Food Pantry and may be sent in care of the Martin-Becker-Carlson Funeral Home, 414 NW 3rd, Abilene, Kan. 67410.  
Condolences may be sent to the family at www.martinbeckercarlson.com.