Robert Earle Blades

Robert Earle Blades passed away on Wednesday, June 15, 2016, at his home surrounded by his family. He was 83. A Talbot County ninth generation, Bob was born in Queen Anne on January 14, 1933, the son of the late Everett Sheldon Blades, Sr., and Ida Harrison Blades. Bob attended public school graduating from Easton High School Class of 1951, the first Talbot class requiring twelve grades. As a young boy, Bob was a charter member of Easton’s Troop 190 of the Boy Scouts of America, enjoying camping out at Easton’s Fort Point. During the Korean War, Bob served with the 101st Airborne Division of Sixth Army. Returning home, he was employed by ConAgra’s Delmarva Division (formerly Bayshore Foods, Inc.) serving on their board of directors and as executive vice president. After serving there twenty six years, he resigned from ConAgra, accepting a position with Tri-Gas & Oil Co., Inc. as executive vice president also serving on their board for fourteen years. Bob often remarked that both employment opportunities afforded him the experience of being associated with talented business associates. He was appreciative of those who mentored him along the way, giving them credit for what he learned in the business world. Bob felt very fortunate to have served and learned so much from civic leaders as well. As past presidents of the Delmarva Poultry Industry, Inc. (DPI), The Private Industry Council of the Upper Eastern Shore, the Talbot Cancer Society, The Chesapeake Center, the Chesapeake College Foundation and the Talbot County Management Board, this leadership experience allowed him to be associated with talented community volunteers. He also served on the Board of Trustees of Chesapeake College, was a member of the Memorial Hospital Association and served on the board of For All Seasons, Inc. A charter member of St. Mark’s United Methodist Church, he previously taught Sunday school, served on the administrative board as church treasurer and especially enjoyed chairing the St. Mark’s Scholarship Committee. He had the great honor of serving twelve years on the Congressman Gilchrist’s Military Service Academies Appointments Committee. He was awarded the University of Maryland Meritorious Award, the DPI Distinguished Citizen Award and Talbot County Senior Citizen Award. Bob is survived by his beloved wife, Constance Kaufman Blades, (first meeting her at a dance at The Tidewater Inn) and marrying in 1959. Surviving also is his daughter, Amy Blades Steward; son-in-law, Eric L. Steward; and grandsons, Andrew and Conner Dorbin of Easton; his son, C. Craig Blades and his wife Candace; grandchildren, William and Caroline Blades of Richmond, VA; sister, Barbara Blades Dryden and her husband, Con Dryden of Salisbury, MD; sister-in-law, Shirley Reed Blades of Easton; and two special people in his life, sister-in-law, Patti K. Willis and husband Craig S. Willis of St. Michaels, MD; one nephew; and five nieces. Bob was predeceased by a sister, Florence Blades Layton; and two brothers, E. Sheldon Blades, Jr. and F. Harrison Blades, both of whom died December 28, 1994. Bob was also one of the last survivors of forty two grandchildren of the late Levi Francis Harrison and May Elizabeth (nee Williams) of Bay Hundred. Services will be held at St. Mark’s United Methodist Church, 100 Peachblossom St., Easton, on June 18, 2016 at 11 AM. Interment will be private at Oxford Cemetery. If desirable, contributions may be made to the College Scholarship Fund of St. Mark’s United Methodist Church, 100 Peachblossom Rd, Easton, MD 21601 or to Talbot Hospice, 586 Cynwood Drive, Easton, MD 21601.

Robert Earle Blades

January 14, 1933 - June 15, 2016