Lt. Col. Richard W. Blackman, 73, of Providence, died Wednesday, January 9, 2013 at Rhode Island Hospital. He was the husband of Patricia A. (Conway) Blackman. They had been married for 52 years.
Born in Birmingham, Alabama, he was a son of the late Vivian (Johnson) Powers and Thomas W Blackman. He had lived in Providence for the past 60 years and had previously lived in Alabama.
He retired from the Providence Gas Company in 2001 after 35 years. He served in the Navy. He was the founder of Blackman Family Clowns and was known as “Hap”. They entertained at area schools and hospitals. He was known as "Grandpa Muggle" to the kids of the Cranston School System.
He received his pilot’s license in 1977 and was a Lieutenant Colonel in the RI Wing Civil Air Patrol having served for 30 years. He was a Search and Rescue Specialist, a member of the Alabama National Guard and was the first male Assistant Girl Scout leader in the United States. He enjoyed fishing and camping. His passion was flying small aircrafts and had volunteered at Meeting Street School giving flights at Fly High Days.
Besides his wife he is survived by his two daughters: Elaine M. Blackman-Gagne of Cranston, and Erin L. Blackman of Johnston, his two granddaughters: Amberlee and Michaela as well as many cherished nieces and nephews. He was the father of the late Richard W. Blackman, Jr. and brother of the late Thomas and Gerald Blackman.
Funeral Service on Saturday, Jan. 19, 2013 at 11:30 am in the ANDERSON-WINFIELD Funeral Home, Route 44 at Greenville Common, Greenville, interment at Pocasset Cemetery, Dyer Avenue, Cranston. Visitation Friday 4-7pm. In lieu of flowers, donations in his memory to the Tomorrow Fund.