Richard G. Blane, 80, a former engineering associate for Teletype Corp. in Skokie who devoted years of service to the City of Rolling Meadows, died of cancer Saturday, Jan. 18, in his Rolling Meadows home. The Peoria native graduated from Lane Technical High School in Chicago and then went to work for Teletype, a former manufacturer of teletypewriters. He left the job in 1943 to serve in the Army and was stationed in Germany and other parts of Europe. After the war Mr. Blane returned to Teletype, where he became an engineering associate. He retired in 1984 after more than 43 years of service. He moved to Rolling Meadows in the 1950s with then-wife, Ilancie, whom he divorced in 1974, and became one of the city’s first volunteer firefighters. In 25 years in that capacity he worked his way up to lieutenant before his retirement in the 1980s. He also served 20 years on the city’s Plan Commission. Working for the city gave Mr. Blane a chance “to contribute something” and put “his actions where his words were,” said his son Rodney, who is Rolling Meadows’ community development director. , “He loved the community of Rolling Meadows,” said his wife, Beatrice. “He loved to give of himself.” Other survivors include another son, Richard II; a daughter, Nancy Frank; two stepsons, Dennis and Jack Olsen; a brother, Jack; and 10 grandchildren. A visitation will be held from 3 until the time of a Masonic service at 8 p.m. Tuesday in Meadows Funeral Home, 3615 Kirchoff Rd., Rolling Meadows. A short service will be held at 11 a.m. Wednesday in the funeral home, followed by a military service at noon in Memorial Gardens Cemetery chapel, 2501 E. Euclid Ave., Arlington Heights.
