- Date Of Birth: February 10, 1942
- Date Of Death: January 25, 2021
- State: Arizona
Richard (Dick or DB) Blair, 78, of Phoenix, AZ passed away peacefully on January 25th, 2021 with his loving wife, Marie, by his side. Throughout his short battle with cancer, he was continually surrounded by his loving family. Dick was born in Chicago, IL on February 10th, 1942 to Milton & Wilimina (Billie) Blair. The family moved to Grand Rapids, MI shortly after. Dick was the youngest of two children and grew up with his an older brother, Dave. Dick graduated from Creston HIgh School, in Grand Rapids, in 1960. He later attended Western Michigan University and graduated in 1966 with a degree in History. Dick started his career in Battle Creek, MI working for Job Corps. He was proud to have been able to work with young people from disadvantaged backgrounds & help them complete their high school education so they could get a good start in the working world. Dick went on to work in hospital administration and insurance in Grand Rapids, MI. While working for Foremost Insurance Company, Dick was relocated to Albuquerque, NM in 1973 and then to Scottsdale, AZ in 1977. In the early 1980’s, Dick started his own insurance and mortgage business, Ultrax Corporation. He successfully ran his company until he retired in 2010. Dick was an avid sports fan with his favorite college team being the University of Michigan Wolverines. Go Blue!! Dick was also a big supporter of Arizona State University football, as well as the AZ Diamondbacks. Dick’s favorite leisure activity was spending time on his boat (Yikes!) in San Diego. He often reminisced about his boating adventures to Catalina Island or up the California coast. He made lifelong friends and memories aboard Yikes! and loved to share his boat with his family and friends throughout the years. Dick was blessed with two daughters, Stephanie in 1965, Karrie in 1968 and later blessed with his son Ryan in 1988. Dick married the love of his life, Marie, in April 1996 and they would be celebrating their 25th anniversary this year. Dick will be remembered as a man who lived life to the fullest, a man who served others in his community, an entrepreneur who worked hard to help others achieve their dreams, and a man who was extraordinarily kind and a friend to everyone he met. But most importantly, Dick will be remembered as a man who loved his family unconditionally. Dick was actively present with his family, he enjoyed getting together for birthdays, holidays, graduations, weddings, baby blessings, grandkids’ sporting events and activities. You name the event, Dick would be there.
