Richard Blanchard

Richard "Dick" Blanchard (b. Chungking, China, 1925 – d. Sannanoa, North Carolina, April 19, 2004) – Composer and minister. Born in China to missionary parents, Richard Blanchard grew up in Wolcottville, Indiana. As a senior in high school, he moved to Tryon, North Carolina. After earning a B.A. from Mercer University in Macon, Georgia, he graduated from the Candler School of Theology at Emory University (also in Georgia) in 1949. He then spent forty years serving congregations for the Florida conference of the United Methodist Church. As suggested in the photograph above, Blanchard's trombone playing figured prominently in his ministry. During his theological career, he also composed gospel hymns, including the popular “Fill My Cup Lord” (1959). Blanchard’s close friend and singing evangelist, Rev. Ray Vaughn, help popularize the hymn.