In Loving Memory of
TED LEE BLANEY
January 14, 1942 – May 10, 2024
“In loving memory of Ted Blaney, and wishing his family and loved ones peace to bring comfort, and courage to face the days ahead…knowing he is in God’s loving arms.” With heavy hearts, we announce the death of Ted Blaney (Loveland, Ohio), who passed away on May 10, 2024 at the age of 82. Family and friends are welcome and encouraged to leave their condolences, and testimonials for Ted on this memorial page by filling out the form below. Make sure to include your name when you submit your tribute.
Ted Blaney was born to Mildred and Burdell Blaney of Mansfield, Ohio. He grew up with his two younger brothers, Tom and Terry, on their family farm and apple orchard. Ted pursued higher education and earned his Master’s Degree in Chemical Engineering from Case Western Reserve in 1966, with his thesis on developing a cyclic absorption system for the artificial kidney. Ted worked for Proctor & Gamble for 36 years, starting in 1966 and retiring in 2002. Ever an introspective investigator and problem solver, he developed and conducted clinical tests to discover the real causes of diaper rash and led product development for Pampers and Luvs, including developing refastenable tapes for diapers by conducting massive consumer studies in harmony with 3M’s design of formulation experiments to optimize performance.
Ted worked with many raw suppliers to adjust their materials to Proctor & Gamble’s product needs (e.g., 3M, Dupont, Exon, Auto Findley, National Starch, B.F. Fuller) and became the Technical Raw Material Global Coordinator for adhesives and elastics, using experiment design and linear regression analyses to forge consensus of the best in the world raw materials.
A natural sharer of knowledge, he taught Fundamentals of Adhesion classes at Proctor & Gamble technical centers in Germany, Italy, Japan, Venezuela, and the United States. Retiring in 2002, he had solved numerous crisis technical problems over the years and generated 14 patents from his work.
Ted raised his 5 children, Cara, Erin, Ian, Alissa, and Shawna; his stepsons, John and Charles; and his foster children, Cherokee and Nicholas. He has 8 grandchildren,: Selena, Drake, Demitri, Brianne, Evelyn, Annalee, Lydia, and Irelyn.
His hobbies were many and varied, including woodworking, daylilly breeding, being a Master Gardener, teaching after-school programs, and being a Study Group Leader of Comprehension of The Urantia Book. Ted was deeply spiritual and always curious about how things work, grow, and change in a mechanical, biological, and spiritual sense. A recent class that he taught discussed how the two hemispheres of the brain have complimentary function, which is potentially synergistic, and proposed an approach to better influence children’s early education. He was applying his theory to benefit children by building and filling neighborhood loaner library houses, combining his intellectual and spiritual pursuits, woodworking, and giving.
A Celebration of Life was held in honor of Ted on Sunday, August 25th, 2024 from 2-5 PM Eastern Time at the Landing Event Center at 119 Karl Brown Way, in Loveland, Ohio. Many friends and family turned out to enjoy shared memories of Ted and a meal together. Later, some friends gathered at another local establishment, Ramsey’s Trailside on Loveland Avenue, for a drink and snack together.
Please use the form below to submit a testimonial in Ted’s honor if you wish. Make sure to include your name.
A Celebration of Life for Ted Blaney
Family and friends will gather on Sunday, August 25th, 2024 from 2-5 p.m. at the Landing Event Center in Loveland, Ohio to remember and celebrate the excellent life and character of our beloved Ted Blaney.
“As Ted departs from our midst, his spirit ascends to join the cosmic dance of stars, a shimmering constellation of memories that will forever grace the night sky of the hearts of those who loved Ted. Though Ted may no longer walk beside us, his legacy lives on — a testament to the enduring power of love to transcend the boundaries of time and space.”
“Ted had many friends who loved and admired him. I trust that Ted is safely in God’s hands and enjoying the special place Jesus prepared for him. Ted was a friend to everyone and well-loved and respected among the entire Urantia community. Ted was a unique personality combination of strength, intelligence, and gentle kindness that everyone was drawn to, with a profound commitment to education and especially for helping children. He was a dear friend and he will be deeply missed until we meet him again on high…” – Rick & Susan Lyon
“Thanks for sharing the photos of Ted. There are many from which to choose a special one. I favor the one with his warm smile in front of the pink rose bush. It captures more of his warm hearted spirit.” –George Thornbury
“Ted is dear in my thoughts. I will miss his wisdom and patience and caring gentle spirit too. I will miss his smiling face on our zoom meeting. Another shock to my heart but he will see Ginny again. This thought gives me joy and solace…” – Bonnie Minor
“Ted was truly a steadfast and knowledgeable presence in our study group. The sorrow is shared by many. I personally depended on Ted to “bring us home” on longer discussions. With wisdom of the human condition, compassion for all, and great spiritual insight, he kept us focused on the fatherhood of God and the brotherhood of man. We were all blessed to have studied with him, and he made an impact on our spirit lives. Bye for now, Ted…” – Terry Denbo
“I am so sorry to hear of the sudden graduation of Ted and will miss him so much. I loved talking with him every week about books. I really got to know him well when he and Ginny stayed with John and me in Fort Wayne in 2019. Ted had unconditional love for all people, lived his faith and poured it out to all he met. Sometime after we have grieved for a period, I would love to figure a way to continue his work with the children’s and young adult books he amassed that he felt contributed to the spiritual growth of the youth. He and Ginny loved children and it would be fitting that a children’s library in their memory be established. My love and prayers of comfort for his family and friends…” – Janet Kratzat
“Ted will be missed by so many. He has been a stellar member of our Urantia Book community for as long as I remember, and a humble contributor in many ways. Ted is with his wife now and we’ll all see him in better circumstances!” – Jill Strunk
“What a wonderful brother is now being received in Mansonia by our elder sisters and brothers. It was a pleasure to know you, Ted, even if just briefly on this planet, in preparation to the adventures Papa has in store for us, the class of 21st Urantians, in the ages to come. Safe journey, beloved.” – Gabriel Rymberg, Israel.
“Ted and I became very close friends in 1970. Our wives had met each other first and that is how I got to know Ted. Turns out we were both Urantia Book readers! Also we ended up living next to each other and then started having weekly Urantia study group meetings until I accepted work in another state in 1976. We both greatly enjoyed the meetings and always had several attendees. We went to Chicago a few times to attend conferences at 533 Diversey Parkway and met some old timers and younger folks such as Mo Siegel and many others.
Our families got together frequently for meals and socializing. Our children enjoyed each other’s companionship. Ted and I were organic gardeners and both had large backyard beautiful vegetable gardens. Lots of competition on who could grow the best tasting vegetables. One year we went on a 7 day fishing trip with some of my friends at work. This was in northern Minnesota and sure glad Ted was a good guide to navigate us thru the many small lakes leading back to our outfitter.
After many years, Ted and I got back together and I started attending his Sunday morning zoom meetings and also his monthly in-person meetings at his home in Kentucky. It was so great being with him again. He is so kind and loving and a sincere believer in the fifth revelation. I am sure he is enjoying the mansion world experience and will pursue study of plants, animals, science and spiritual growth on his way upward leading toward God. I miss him very much and look forward to being with him again on the next level of our great spiritual adventure. Love to all of you.” – Spirit Brother Roland Siegfried
Ted Blaney was ever ready to help out for anything he was asked for. I was wondering where I could get listings of books for kids for their reading materials. He answered right away with the long list and it was so comprehensive! We just thanked him for his service and very sorry to hear his unexpected demise. He has always had a sweet smile and demeanor that exuded the confidence of loving son-Father relationship that he carried around and it was so astounding. Rest in peace beautiful soul, Ted Blaney. – Belen Asidao
It was my priviledge to know both Ted and his wife Ginny, who graduated a year ago, for over 10 years. Ted was a rare combination of qualities, being both a scientist and a spiritual truth seeker and leader. With over sixty years of study of The Urantia Book his knowledge was extensive, and we were blessed here in Cincinnati to have him as our study group leader and later, zoom leader. But he didn’t stop at study, he was always looking for ways to manifest the Fruits of the Spirit. He and Ginny fostered two children, he served on the General Council of the UB Fellowship and he was on the membership committee. He never did anything halfway. He had over ten patents in his name. This spring he gave me a tour of the over 800 daffodils he had planted that past fall. The many varities were labeled and he knew the unique habits of each one. He developed a daylily that was such a deep shade of purple that it looked black. He laughed easily, his eyes twinkled when he talked about children, and he teared up when talking about his mother. I imagine he was a wonderful father to his five children. I miss you Ted and will continue to be inspired by your example. – Janet Murray
If not for Ted, I probably wouldn’t have continued to read The Urantia Book. He was the host of my first study group and helped me tremendously in my understanding of the book. He was my friend and mentor for many years, as well as his wife, Ginny. I attended their wedding at the lake, and it was beautiful. Ted is irreplaceable in my heart. I miss him dearly. But I’m happy that he has graduated this planet and is bringing joy to others in his path. God Bless You, Ted! – Donna Huy
Ted is truly one of the kindest, gentlest, and most service-oriented people I have ever known. He lived the teachings of The Urantia Book. – Michael Painter
The trait I appreciate most about Ted in addition to his deep faith in God is his devotion to family life. I met Ted in the 70s when he was just starting his family. Later in the 80s, he and his family became an important part of my family life. He always delighted in his children and the children of others who needed good parenting. We enjoyed sharing insights with each other about serving the worldwide family of God until shortly before his passage. Ted will be greatly by those who serve God’s will for humankind. Godspeed to heavenly service, Ted! – Barbara A. Newsom