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Blenko Glass Co. Inc. has been a staple in Milton, W.Va., since William J. Blenko brought his expertise in mouth blown and antique sheet glass to the area in 1921. First called Eureka Glass Company because “Eureka!” is what William shouted when he found the secret to a ruby red glass that would not change color when processed, the company is now internationally recognized. Several hundred thousand people per year are drawn to its factory, museum and shop.
Ownership is now in the fourth generation with Richard D. Blenko (BBA’76) serving as president. He came on board in 1976, about the time natural gas prices were hurting the glass industry. In addition, Blenko name recognition was waning as many department store chains closed and no longer sold the products. Richard’s love of the family business and his drive to keep it prosperous led him to develop some keen business goals to again bring national attention to his family’s product.
“For the last ten to 12 years I have been working hard to reinvigorate the company name by traveling as many as 100 days a year,” said Richard. “I put a book out in the 1980s about the glass, and six years ago was interviewed for Hearts of Glass, the first documentary about the business. There have been four more films since.” Richard conducts book signings and talks, and supports the films while on the road.
The tours have been quite successful due to Richard’s enthusiasm. “People underestimate the skills that come out of this area,” he said. “They are stunned when they see the beautiful artwork we produce in this small town in West Virginia. My goal is to promote the state and the industry. I feel I am a good ambassador for the state by promoting a positive image nationally.”
Richard had no doubt he would attend Marshall. After graduating from St. Albans School in Washington, D.C., he joined his older brother on campus. His mother, a British War Bride, taught home economics in the late 1960s and early 1970s. “It was great fun being on campus as a student. The night life was fun, and I remember playing cards at the old Shawkey Student Union. Of course, I can’t forget athletics, especially Marshall beating Miami of Ohio in 1975 and St. John’s of New York, the ninth ranked basketball team in the country.”
His best memory, though, is his days in Sigma Alpha Epsilon fraternity. “Being in a fraternity gives you a chance to learn social skills and responsibility. You meet a wide range of people and learn to get along.” Richard was instrumental in bringing the West Virginia chapter of SAE back to campus in 1998 after 15 years of inactivity.
The former MUAA board member has always been generous to Marshall by providing thousands of beautiful and elegant glass pieces for alumni and sports awards over the years. “Once you are out of school it is important to support Marshall either with money or services,” said Richard. “For me I felt this way from the beginning. Attending college was such an exemplary experience. This is my way of giving something back.”
Richard is married to Marty Neal Blenko (BA’76, MA’77), a speech pathologist and assistant director of rehabilitation at Cabell Huntington Hospital. You can find out more about Blenko Glass at www.blenkoglass.com/.
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