Norbert (Buck) Blessing, 78

Norbert (Buck) Blessing, 78, of New York City and Naples, Florida, died on September 28, 2016, after a long illness. He will be remembered for his deep love of family, his boundless generosity, his adventurous spirit, powers of persuasion, and wit.
Buck graduated from Roger Bacon High School in his native Cincinnati, Ohio. While working fulltime as a tool and die maker at a nearby Fisher Body plant, he attended Miami University in Oxford, Ohio, graduating Phi Beta Kappa in 1964. He worked in labor relations for the Ford Motor Company before joining Kepner-Tregoe, a management consulting firm in Princeton, New Jersey. In 1973 he co-founded Blessing/White, Inc., which remains a leader in the field of management training. After the business was sold in 1989, Buck wrote “Selling the Big Ticket,” drawing on his success in sales and marketing. In retirement, Buck developed his passion for gardening and competitive bridge. He was a regular at bridge clubs in Naples and Hendersonville, North Carolina, attaining the level of bronze life master. The acreage around his home in Hendersonville featured inviting pathways through flowering shrubs and brilliant annuals. His garden was open to neighbors and other visitors throughout Western North Carolina. He was an avid reader with a lifelong interest in politics and world affairs. In keeping with his commitment to social justice, he supported numerous individuals and charitable organizations, particularly in healthcare and education. He also gave freely of his time to community groups and as a mentor to younger associates and aspiring entrepreneurs.
Buck is survived by his loving family: wife of 56 years Joan Thiel Blessing; children Jenny Blessing (Rick Collins) of Brooklyn, NY, Buck Blessing (Janelle) of Denver, CO, and Carrie Blessing Keith (Rob) of Pennington, NJ; grandchildren Stella, Phoebe, Alessandro, Gaia, Vivian, Lydia, Gillie and Haleigh; great-grandchildren Oliver and Bentley; brother Bernie Blessing (Carol), sisters Chris Stehlin (Norman), Laurie Hyatt (Bill), Dot Blessing, and Anita Sielatycki (Gary). He was preceded in death by his parents Alma and Norbert Blessing.
A memorial service will be held in New York at 10 am on Saturday, November 12, at Trinity Church, Broadway and Wall Street. Contributions in Buck’s memory may be made to the Lewy Body Dementia Resource Center of New York, 750 West Broadway, Suite 2R, Long Beach, NY 11561. lbdny.org