Memorial

Rickie “Rick” Lee Blin, 65, of Cedar Rapids, Iowa, passed away peacefully and comfortably on August 5, 2026, at St. Luke’s Hospital while under hospice care. For six years, he faced cancer with quiet courage and unwavering determination, never losing his fighting spirit.

A visitation will be held at 10:00 a.m. on September 11, 2026, at Cedar Memorial Chapel in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, followed immediately by a memorial service at 11:00 a.m. and a graveside service thereafter. Full military honors will be rendered at the graveside, where Rick will be laid to rest with his four dogs, Alvin, Andy, Maks, and Bella. A luncheon will follow at Cedar Memorial.

Rick is survived by his beloved wife of 27 years, Janlyn Blin; his mother, Nancy Blin; his brother, Gary Blin (Dani); his five children, Jason Vargas (Erin), Joseph Vargas, Shawn Blin, Patrick Blin, and Jaimie Craig (Roman); his four cherished grandchildren, Jamison, Ellin, Evalynn, and Silas; and his niece and nephew, Riley and Brody. He was preceded in death by his father, Kenneth Blin.

Born March 16, 1961, in Cedar Rapids to Kenneth and Nancy Blin, Rick graduated from Linn-Mar High School. After attending welding school in Tulsa, Oklahoma, he enlisted in the United States Navy. He completed boot camp at Great Lakes, was designated a Hull Technician, and later attended Naval Reactor School in Idaho Falls, Idaho, as well as “A” School. Over the course of his career he lived in two countries and five states, serving aboard the USS Simon Lake and the USS Bataan. He completed a recruiting tour in Galesburg, Illinois, and served in the Gulf War and the Global War on Terrorism. After transitioning to the Fleet Reserve, Rick received his retirement orders on July 2, 2013, concluding a distinguished career in Virginia Beach, Virginia. Among the many honors he earned were the Navy Achievement Medal, Meritorious Unit Commendation, Navy “E” Ribbon, Good Conduct Medals, National Defense Service Medal, Sea Service Deployment Ribbon, and Recruiting Gold Wreath Award.

Rick married Janlyn on April 24, 1999, in Wataga, Illinois. An avid outdoorsman, he hiked a portion of the Appalachian Trail, backpacked into the backcountry of Yellowstone, and returned year after year to Camp Wenasaga in Canada for walleye fishing with his father—a tradition that began in early childhood. A proud Harley rider, he also loved Civil War history and visited many battlefields. Rick found joy in collecting antiques, camping, fishing, hunting, hiking, and trying new recipes. Above all else, nothing mattered more to him than family and the time they spent together. He was an exceptional man, defined by his strength, resilience, and refusal to give up.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Rick’s memory to his spouse, Janlyn Blin, to be divided among St. Luke’s Hospice, Holden Cancer Center, Paws of Hope Animal Rescue, and Wounded Warrior.