Dwight Edwin Blackwood

Dr. Dwight E. “Dr. B” Blackwood, 91, of Chanute Kansas, passed away peacefully on Thursday, September 5th, 2024, in his home, surrounded by family.

Dwight was born on May 7th, 1933, in Chanute to C. D. and Mary Blackwood. On September 25th, 1955, he married the love of his life, Phyllis Beach.

Dwight earned a full ride to Washburn University with an athletic scholarship for Basketball and Track. He graduated in 1955 with a B.S. degree in Biology and Psychology. He was in ROTC, and served as President for Kappa Sigma Gamma-Nu. Upon graduation he was commissioned in the Air Force as a 2nd Lt.; assigned to Strategic Air Command; flew the B-47 Stratojet as a combat-ready pilot. At the completion of his tour of duty, he returned to pursue his education goal, receiving his Doctor of Optometry in Memphis, Tennessee.

Dr. “B” maintained a flourishing Optometry practice for 55 years, and was one of the first members in the Heart of America Contact Lens Society. He served successfully on numerous boards adjacent to his practice over the years and remained active in his healing arts education throughout his career. He strived to better care for his patient’s needs through the application and methods of improved techniques and instrumentation. Dr. "B" was involved in the startup of Birdview Satellite Communications, serving on the Board of Directors. He remained very active in numerous civic and political activities throughout his life.

Dr. “B” dearly loved Neosho County and the City of Chanute. For example, he commissioned the giraffe sculptures in front of the Safari Museum in memory of the Blackwood and Beach families. He maintained a great interest in education, serving on Boards of Education for both Neosho Community Junior College and the Chanute High School, a combined 14 years. He served 8 years as a highway commissioner for the State of Kansas and had an pivotal role in the construction of the US 169 bypass in the area. We simply don’t have enough paper to enumerate all of the local projects where he played an instrumental role.

Survivors include two children, Tim (Lori) Blackwood of Louisburg, KS, and Linda (Craig) Hatch of Yates Center, KS, and one brother, Kent (Dorothy) Blackwood of Louisville, KY. Grandchildren; Chase Blackwood of Lawrence KS, Karli (Josh Campbell) Blackwood of Ft. Collins CO, Samantha (Nathan) Miller of Greenland AR, Katelyn (Blake) White of Independence KS, Rodney (Lynda) Hatch of Piedmont OK, Amanda (Blake) Wilson of Yates Center KS. Great-grandchildren; Nolynn Miller, Greyson Campbell, Brady Hatch, Natalie Hatch, Fidel Hatch, Mattie Tadlock, Maci Tadlock, Keagan Tadlock.

 He was preceded in death by his loving wife Phyllis, brother Byrne, and parents C. D. Blackwood and Mary Blackwood.

 The family asks expressions of sympathy be in the form of memorials to the Kansas Optometric Association or the Chanute Safari Museum. Memorial Donations can be left with or mailed to the funeral home. 

 A visitation for Dwight will be held on Thursday, September 12, 2024, at Wickham Family Funeral Home 500 North Forest Ave., Chanute, Kansas from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.

 A Celebration of Life Funeral Service will be held on Friday, September 13, 2024, at First Baptist Church Good News Center 118 North Forest Ave., Chanute, Kansas, at 10:30 a.m.

 Burial will follow the service at Memorial Park Cemetery in Chanute, Kansas, with Military Honors presented by the Chanute Honor Guard.

Services are under the guidance of Wickham Family Funeral Home 500 North Forest Ave. Chanute, Kansas.