Taalkeus BLANK

BLANK, POTTS, LARSON, POPE

Posted By: Sarah Thorson Little (email)
Date: 7/31/2008 at 21:41:30

Chicago Sun-Times (IL), copyright
May 14, 1991

Taalkeus 'Talky' Blank, 81, actor and activist in Hinsdale

Taalkeus "Talky" Blank, 81, who split his career between theater and community service in Hinsdale, died Friday in Hinsdale Hospital. A resident of the western suburb since 1943, Mr. Blank served as director of Hinsdale Community Center for many years until his retirement in 1968. He also was a past director of the senior citizens nutrition program of Du Page County. In the early 1950s, he played a major role in raising funds to enlarge Hinsdale Sanitarium into what is now Hinsdale Hospital. Mr. Blank's other accomplishments include founding Hinsdale's Antique Show, Village Players, Community Concerts, Community Artists, Little League, Fourth of July celebration, Historical Society and Mozart festival.

"Talky Blank was devoted to helping others," said his son Rolf. "It would be hard to find someone who lived in Hinsdale during the 1940s, '50s and '60s whose life wasn't touched by him in some way. He was a selfless worker and he made a difference. He was truly a great man."

As an actor, he appeared in Drury Lane Playhouse, Hinsdale Summer Theater, Candlelight Theater and Forum Theater. He backed up stars Joe E. Brown, Zasu Pitts, Dana Andrews and Charlton Heston during his career. Mr. Blank also was involved in creating Salt Creek Summer Theater and Brush Hill (Hinsdale's original name) Summer Theater, producing plays at both.

"We put on a lot of great shows there," he said of Salt Creek Summer Theater during an interview. "And we had a lot of people who made great names for themselves as actors, such as Debbie Reynolds, Anthony Perkins and Lee Remick." But Mr. Blank preferred working with amateurs. "They give it more zeal and enthusiasm than the tired, preoccupied professional," he said.

Mr. Blank, born in Goodell, Iowa, graduated from the University of Minnesota in 1933 with a degree in speech. While at the university, he became active in theater and was cast in leading roles, most notably as Brutus in "Julius Caesar." During World War II, he worked for the USO in Camp Atterbury, Ind. There, he invented a pocket-sized game called "Jeep Board," a peg-board checker game, which was distributed to servicemen by the Red Cross. In the 1950s, he was in a local soap opera, "Hawkins Falls," and hosted a radio show called "Time for Talky." After his retirement, he was a consultant at Winnetka Community House, where he initiated more events, such as the Winnetka Antiques Show and Winnetka Ball.

In addition to his son, he is survived by his wife, Anita; another son, Thomas; two daughters, Gretchen Potts and Karen; a brother, Fred; a half-brother, John Larson; a sister, Katherine Pope; four grandchildren, and a great-grandchild. Private services and burial will be today. A memorial service at Hinsdale Union Church is planned.