Richard "Doc" Blum, age 73, of Wall Lake, IA, passed away on Friday, January 27, 2017, in Bangkok, Thailand. 

     Doc was  born on June 9, 1943, in Carroll, IA, the son of Dr. A.A. and Mava (Bennett) Blum. He attended Wall Lake Community School and graduated with the class of 1961. Doc then enlisted in the United States Marine Corps on December 10th, 1961, spending his first three years state side. He was then deployed to Vietnam in January 1964. Doc completed his service and was honorably discharged in May of 1966.

     In August 1966, Doc began working for Lockheed Aircraft. He was then transferred with them to Bangkok, Thailand. While in Thailand, he met and married Salabsri (Maria)  at The Holy Redeemer Catholic Church on August 9, 1968. They were blessed with 2 sons and 4 daughters. In 1969, Doc, Maria and son, Al, returned to the United States. In December of that same year, Doc and Maria bought Dale's Place in Wall Lake to which became Doc's Place. Doc and Maria operated this family business for 32 years. The bar and restaurant business was his true calling as he loved talking to and serving his many patrons. In September, 2001, they sold the business to their daughter Anne and husband, Brad. At that time, Doc retired in order to travel and spend more time with family.  

      Doc enjoyed hunting, fishing, and any sporting event he could bet on. He enjoyed following the Iowa Hawkeyes and attended numerous bowl games. He was often seen cheering for his grandkids at their school events. He soon became their number one fan. 

     The true loves of his life were his wife Maria, of 48 years, owning Doc's Place, being a proud Marine, and his six wonderful kids and their families. 

      Survivors include his wife, Maria, of Wall Lake, IA; his children: Aloysius (Tonya) Blum of Carroll, IA, Susan (Al) Jacobson of Farnhamville, IA, Anne (Brad) Jacobsen of Wall Lake, IA, Cindy (Brent) Tiefenthaler of Breda, IA, Donna (Ted) Aldag of Wall Lake, IA, and Eric Blum of Wall Lake, IA; 16 grandchildren and 4 great-grandchildren. Other survivors include his brother, William "Bill" Blum of Wall Lake, IA; sisters: Mary Schroeder of Wall Lake, IA, Lois Cave of Colorado Springs, CO, and Joanell (Leroy) Koster of Breda, IA; sister-in-law Pat Blum of Birmingham, AL; many nieces, nephews, extended family members and friends. Doc was preceded in death by his parents; father and mother-in-law; granddaughter Bailey Jacobsen; daughter-in-law Beth Blum; brothers Robert "Bob" Blum and Francis Blum; sister-in-laws Betty Blum and Roma Jean Blum; brother-in-laws Jim Cave and Clayton Schroeder.