RIP Catdaddy

[Bob Reeves]

Some of you knew Rick Blankenship aka Catdaddy... He passed away on July 4th, just 60 years old.
I do not know any details other than what is in the link.
http://www.siensheltonfh.com/notices/Ricky-Blankenship

[Dennis Moritz]

A good man. I met him at Brodak. Always an interesting person to talk to.


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[Steve Fitton]

Cat was a hoot to fly with and drink beer with after flying.  He will be missed. 

[TigreST]

God speed Rick.


Tony

[JoeJust]

Another one that I'm really going to miss!  He through his meeting with the late Jim Carpenter who passed his friendship to me was a great guy.  He had an interesting sense of humor that I liked and I wish him God Speed.  My prayers today will include his family and I believe sons.
Joe

[Elwyn Aud]

Well dang. Haven't seen him in years and wondered what he was up to these days. Condolences to his family.

[john e. holliday]

Same here Elwyn as I remember him from the Tulsa contests.  Too young an age to be leaving us.  My prayers for him and family.

[peabody]

Damn....I knew Rick from Brodaks and we typed at each other occasionally.
He was a pilot, too....I believe a C-182?

Nice guy, too soon gone.....

[Randy Cuberly]

While I never met him in person, here on the Forum he seemed like a good guy and will be missed. I'm sure.

60 is way too young to pass on.  Fair winds Rick!

Randy Cuberly

[Brett Buck]

That's a shame and kind of shocking at that age. He and I started out completely at odds, but wound up with pretty good interactions. He took it upon himself to reach out and bury the hatchet - although I never really held any real animus towards him.

   I hadn't heard anything from him since about 2012, so I lost track of what was going on with him.

     Brett

[Phil Spillman]

I am truly shocked to read this. I had good chats with him at the Brodak FlyIn over several years. One memory is of him and John Ashford jamming with their guitars in the evening after a hard days flying. He was an eager learner and a quick study. As a soon to be 80 year old 60 is entirely too soon to check out. My prayers and quiet thoughts go out to his family. 

Phil Spillman

[phil c]

Thanks for the heads up Bob.  I was surprised and sad to hear he died so young.  A good man.  Only met him at Brodak's- he was fun to fly with and chat with.
Condolences to his wife, brothers and children, and grand kids.  Hope you have many great memories to carry with you.

[Paul Taylor]

Sorry to hear this.  I met Rick at Brodaks. He was fun to hang out with.
My condolences to the family.

[Norm Faith Jr.]

Geeze! The same here (as mentioned earlier) I wondered over the past few years or so, as to what happened to him. We had several conversations here on the forum and I got to know him first hand at the meets in Tulsa. I hope that more information will be forth-coming. Peace Catdaddy.
Norm

[Larry Renger]

Always traumatic to lose one of "our own". He was a frequent contributor to this forum, and he will be missed!  :

Two questions,though. What laid him low, and why was he called Catdaddy?

[WR Crane aka MrClean]

Always enjoyed flying and posting with Rick.  Dang sorry to hear he's gone. 

[Brad Smith]

I met catdady at Brodak we drank a few beers flew a lot of combat and we allways had blast he was like family thoughts and prayers with his family dam this happens to often now he will be missed