Richard Kingsley Blum

Richard Kingsley Blum died January 25, 2024, after a brief illness. He was born on February 10, 1956, to Maxine Armfield and Robert Unsworth Blum. A lifelong resident of New Orleans, Rick attended Holy Name of Jesus School and was graduated from Christian Brothers School and De La Salle High School. He obtained a Bachelor of Engineering degree from Tulane University in Civil Engineering. He went on to obtain an MBA degree in Finance and Accounting from the Freeman School at Tulane University. While at Tulane, he was president of the Engineering School and an officer in the Tau Lambda chapter of Delta Kappa Epsilon. Rick was a registered Professional Engineer (PE), member of the Turnaround Management Association (TMA), the Association of Certified Fraud Examiners (AFCE), and the Association for Corporate Growth (ACG).

Rick is survived by his wife of 42 years, Ruth Maginnis Blum, and his children Kingsley Louise Blum (Jim Parker) and Wilson Armfield Blum (Jess). He is also survived by siblings Nancy Adams (Jesse), Bob Blum (Agnes), and Liz Curren, nieces and nephews Liz Creel (Terry), Robby Blum (Liz), Adele Endom (Fred), and Barlow Curren, and cousin Howard Armfield (Gloria) of Middleburg, VA. Rick had numerous close friends he considered to be family.

Rick was a life member of the Southern Yacht Club and also enjoyed the camaraderie of the Pickwick Club, Stratford Club, and Louisiana Club. He was a member of several carnival organizations. To know Rick was to be his friend. His genuine kindness touched everyone he met. He will be greatly missed by those who were his friends and by his friends’ children, his children’s friends, the many he mentored and supported, and those who enjoyed good music, good rum, and a little Dr. Strangelove.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Christian Brothers Foundation or the Foundations for the Future–Holy Name of Jesus Parish and School Capital Campaign, or a charity of your choice.

Relatives and friends are invited to attend the visitation from 10am - 12pm and the funeral mass at 12pm at Holy Name of Jesus Church, 6367 St. Charles Ave. on Thursday, February 1, 2024.