BLINN, Charles W.

Charles W. Blinn, 85 of Phoenix, Arizona, passed away January 13, 2004. He was born September 22, 1918 in Trenton, New Jersey, the son of Charles W. Blinn and Margaret J. Bolton-Blinn. He grew up in Morrisville, Pennsylvania. He worked for the Morrisville Herald as a photographer. He joined the New Jersey National Guard and was later called into Federal Service in June 1941. He served in the Medical Corp in the African, European and Asian Theaters. Mr. Blinn was Chief Technologist 1955-1986 for the Phoenix Indian Medical of the U. S. Indian Health Service. Prior to that time he was involved in research as a Histochemical Technician for the University of Chicago and research at the Great Lakes Naval Training Station. He studied at the University of Pennsylvania, Chicago College of Laboratory Techniques, the University of Chicago and Phoenix College and courses given by the U. S. Civil Service Commission on Computers. He was certified by the American Medical Technologists (AMT) in 1954-1994. Was a board member of the Arizona State Society of AMT 1971-1989, editor of the State Society's publican 1960-62 & 1986-88; president of the groups for five terms 1960-62 & 1982-85; served at the society's legislative chairman; and Western Deputy District Councilor, 1963-1964. The state recognized his service with the McCoy-Boyd Award for Excellence in Achievement, 1985 The National AMT organization named him the recipient of the Distinguished Achievement Award, 1963 the Exceptional Merit Award, 1985 and the Technologists of the Year Award in 1992. He was also a Member of Arizona State Health Department's Clinical Laboratory Advisory Council, 1981-1989; an author of numerous articles for AMT; a lecturer on careers in the clinical laboratory; and a speaker on Desktop Publishing. After retiring from the laboratory field he continued with his hobbies, hunting, fishing, lapidary work, writing and working with his computer keeping in touch with his many friends across the country. He is survived by his wife, Elaine, Daughter and Son-in-law Darylene and Harold Williams, two Granddaughters Crystal and Heather Williams, Stepson Mark Schander, and Stepdaughter Katherine Gaylord. Visitation with Rosary was at Chapel of the Chimes Mortuary, 7924 N. 59th Ave, Glendale, AZ. Funeral Mass was held at St. Louis the King Catholic Church, 4331 W. Maryland Ave., Glendale, AZ. Burial will follow at the National Memorial Cemetery, Cave Creek, AZ. In lieu of flowers donations can be made to American Medical Technologists Scholarship Fund C/O AMT, 710 Higgins Road, Park Ridge, Il, 60068-5765 or Hospice of the Valley 1510 E. Flower St., Phoenix, 85014-5656. Published in the Arizona Republic on 1/21/2004.