Gerald Issar Blank, age 92, father, husband, grandfather, great grandfather, and physician, died on July 21, 2021, at home, Hamden, CT, from late-stage neuro-endocrine tumor. Born on October 28, 1928, in Brooklyn, N.Y. He was the son of the late Francis and Alexander Blank. He is survived by his wife, Olladean (Deanie) LaPlante, his sister Suzanne Sadler, his sister-in-law Joan Blank, his children, Ursula Spiegel, Uwe Marhenke (Karin), Michael (Marlene Eisenberg) and Naomi, his daughter-in-law, Karin Herdey, and his stepdaughter, Eve LaPlante (Dr. David Dorfman).  He was preceded in death by his parents; his first wife, Lilo; his brother, Robert Blank; his son, Hellmut Herdey; his brother-in-law, Dr. Arthur Sadler; his son-in-law, Robert Spiegel; and his grand-daughter, Dawn Herdey.

 

Gerald, as he is known to family, and Gerry, as he is known to many others, received a BA in English literature from Villanova University, and an MA in teaching English from Columbia University. He was drafted during the Korean war into the Army shortly after he began teaching. Gerry served as a Medic stationed in Germany for two years. He attended Medical School in Wurzburg, Germany and transferred to Bern, Switzerland where he received an MD. He returned to New Britain, CT with his first wife Lilo, where he established a practice in Internal Medicine. In 1975, he retired from private practice in medicine, including adjunct professor teaching at the University of Connecticut School of Medicine, to become National Medical Director of the Travelers Insurance Company Medicare contract. In 1994, he  left Travelers and worked briefly as an Investigator for drug trials and then for Massachusetts Blue Cross in their Medicare office. He then completely retired spending winters in Naples, FL and summers in CT.

 

In addition to his wife, children, and stepdaughter, he is survived by a bevy of grandchildren, Jeffery (Rebecca) & Lisa (Jayadev); Chris (Carlina); Elijah; Lilo and Isaac; Fabian, Julius, and Lorenz; Rose, Clara, Charlotte and Philip; and great grandchildren, Vishal, Vivek, and Tejasvin; Jack and Kristina.

 

A graveside service is planned for Friday July 23 at 1:00 PM, Beth Alom Cemetery, 48 Allen St., New Britain, CT. 06053. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Doctors Without Borders. The Hawley Lincoln Memorial, 424 Elm St. New Haven is in charge of arrangements. 

 

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Deanie and family will be home to greet those who wish to wish to come by to Apt. 2507B, from 4:00 to 6:00 PM Friday July 22nd  evening.