Monday, February 22, 1993
The Denver Post

Denver & The West

[Headline] 'Warrior' for the disabled mourned

By Sarah Ellis

Denver Post Staff Writer

More than 1,100 people gathered yesterday to share memories and grieve the deaths of disabled-rights champion Wade Blank and his son, Lincoln.

Both drowned Feb. 15 during a family vacation in Mexico.

Friends, co-workers and neighbors remembered Blank as an activist, devoted family man and one who dedicated his life to helping others.

"Wade was a prophet, a warrior for justice and peace," said former colleague Art Waldmann. "But through it all, there was always his warm and caring self."

In a memorial billed as a celebration of life, many shed tears and praised the man who had worked to give independence and dignity to disabled people everywhere.

But the service at the downtown Radisson Hotel also was peppered with folk songs and laughter.

"He touched a lot of people," said Mike Auberger, co-director of the Atlantis Community, which Blank helped launch in 1975.

Wade's love warmed and empowered us all," said Justin Dart, chairman of the President's Committee on Employment of People with Disabilities.

"It breached the defenses and won the respect of policemen, jailers, judges, mayors and congresspersons."

Blank's casket was draped with a [text cuts off]

[image]
[image caption] Pays last respects: Heather Blank, adopted daughter of disabled-rights champion Wade Blank, places a hand on her father's casket at memorial service yesterday. The Denver Post/ Brian Brainerd

[text resumes] flag, the stars forming a handicapped. sign.

His '60s-style civil disobedience to bring attention to the needs of disabled. people was credited with changing many lives.

"He was a visionary and a teacher who worked for justice and equality for us all," Stephanie Thomas said from her wheelchair. Neighbors remembered Lincoln Blank as a boy "with dancing eyes" who played rally, instead of house or doctor, and who was a "big brother" to many neighborhood children. Auberger said Lincoln's first words were "We will ride!" a rallying cry for disabled access on public transit.

A national memorial service for Blank will be May 9 at the Lincoln Memorial in Washington.

Contributions for the family may be made to the Wade Blank Memorial Fund at The First National Bank of Denver, 300 S. Federal Blvd., Denver 80206.

A trust fund also has been established in the name of Wade Blank. Contributions can be sent to Atlantis/ADAPT, c/o Evan Kemp, 2500 Q St., N.W., #121, Washington, D.C. 20007.

Blank is survived by his wife, Molly, and two daughters, Heather, 22, and Caitlin, 6.

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• Wade Blank - Founder of Atlantis Co-Founder of ADAPT

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