BLECKER, Harry Herman – On Monday, January 24, 2011, the world lost an honorable and intelligent man and a loving father. Harry H. Blecker was born in Philadelphia, PA on April 10, 1927 to Herman and Eva Blecker. He lived there for many years and gained his love for chemistry then. He graduated from High School and volunteered for the Army Air Force in 1944 and was honorably discharged as a Corporal in 1946. He enrolled in Bucknell University and earned a BS in Chemistry in 1949. His graduate and post-graduate education included a MS degree in Chemistry from Rutgers University in 1953 and PhD in Organic Chemistry in 1955. On June 16, 1951 he married Charlotte Welkto, formerly from Wichita, Kansas, in a ceremony in Philadelphia, PA. Children were subsequently with Harry in 1952, Barbara in 1954, Marian in 1956 and Karen in 1958. Harry H. Blecker began his academic work career in 1954 with the University of Michigan as a Research Associate. He moved to the U of M -Flint campus in 1957 as an Assistant Professor to establish a new chemistry program there and help grow its new campus. In 1961, he was promoted to Associate Professor and full Professor in 1967. He worked at the UM-Flint campus for 33 years and retired in 1988. He was granted Professor Emeritus status in 1988. Honors he received included the American Men of Science, 11th Edition and later a Who’s Who in America in 1972 and later. Harry loved Crystal Lake (his heaven on earth) and Benzie County. His love for preserving the pristine beauty of nature nurtured his volunteer efforts with the Crystal Lake Association, Pt. Betsie Lighthouse and Frankfort Library among others. It was important to him to help future generations. This vision was his passion for working with thousands of students at UM-Flint, his children and grandchildren. Harry is survived by his wife, Charlotte of Frankfort; children, Harry and Sheri Blecker of Flushing, MI, Barb and Art Levy of Columbia, SC, Marian Blecker of Graham, NC, Karen Blecker and Mike Martel of Fenton, MI; grandchildren, Adrienne, Alex and Andrew Levy, Robert and David Martel and Matthew Blecker; brother, Herman Harry Blecker of Philadelphia. We are proud to be his spouse, brother, children, grandchildren, son and daughters-in-law and other family. His family thank him for never being hungry. We thank him for clothing and shelter. We are also very grateful for acquiring a work ethic and genuine respect for education. He will be forever in our hearts and mind and will always have our love. A memorial service will be held at 11:00 a.m. Saturday, January 29 at Trinity Lutheran Church with Pastor Rick Stieve officiating. Burial will be in the spring at Crystal Lake Twp. Cemetery, North with military rites under the auspices of VFW Post #221 honor guard along with a committal service. Contributions may be directed to the University of Michigan-Flint, Harry H. Blecker Dept. of Chemistry Scholarship or the Myelodysptastic Syndromes Foundation. Arrangements by Jowett Family Funeral Homes in Frankfort.