The Winston-Salem Open is mourning one its own today after losing Randal Blankenship, one of its longest-serving and most enthusiastic and most dedicated volunteers, to amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) or Lou Gehrig’s disease.
Blankenship passed away in the hospital this morning with friends and family around him, and now he is with his extended Winston-Salem Open family in spirit.
“I get to spread the love of tennis and Winston-Salem around and make the usher position enjoyable for all my volunteers,” Blankenship said in a 2021 interview.
Since the tournament’s beginning in 2011, he had led a group of more than 350 ushers who helped assist fans with seating, understanding the site and even with making recommendations for local restaurants.
Blankenship was also a mainstay during the many Davis Cup ties Winston-Salem has hosted over the years, and was an avid USTA player and captain.
“Tennis was his reason for being. I really believe that,” said Alex Rucker, vice president of the Winston-Salem Open, a Winston-Salem Professional Tennis board member and a long-time volunteer.
“He was the ultimate volunteer. He loved gathering people. This really was his life – I really think that.” Rucker added.
On Sunday night, the Winston-Salem Open honored Blankenship with its community service award, the Lash-Southern Award. He was able to attend virtually from his hospital bed.
“It was really special that he was able to observe that and see that,” said Doug Robertson, the leader of transportation volunteers and a Winston-Salem Professional Tennis board member.
“What I really took note of was just how many and how many different people were there. Usually it’s just friends and family, but there were a ton of [volunteer] purple shirts in that crowd, and I am just so thankful he got to see that,” Robertson said.
Martha Sutton had worked with Blankenship since the early days of the tournament and said she couldn’t help but repeat the reoccurring theme around the site.
“I know everyone is saying this, but it’s true. He was the quintessential volunteer. He was always willing and able to do whatever he was called upon to do with a smile and a gentle spirit,” Sutton said.
Rucker, along with everyone on site, finds the loss difficult to discuss but is bolstered by Blankenship’s legacy.
“What he did was he really brought a lot of people along, and now they are all – we are all – trying to help fill his shoes.”
Blankenship passed away in the hospital this morning with friends and family around him, and now he is with his extended Winston-Salem Open family in spirit.
“I get to spread the love of tennis and Winston-Salem around and make the usher position enjoyable for all my volunteers,” Blankenship said in a 2021 interview.
Since the tournament’s beginning in 2011, he had led a group of more than 350 ushers who helped assist fans with seating, understanding the site and even with making recommendations for local restaurants.
Blankenship was also a mainstay during the many Davis Cup ties Winston-Salem has hosted over the years, and was an avid USTA player and captain.
“Tennis was his reason for being. I really believe that,” said Alex Rucker, vice president of the Winston-Salem Open, a Winston-Salem Professional Tennis board member and a long-time volunteer.
“He was the ultimate volunteer. He loved gathering people. This really was his life – I really think that.” Rucker added.
On Sunday night, the Winston-Salem Open honored Blankenship with its community service award, the Lash-Southern Award. He was able to attend virtually from his hospital bed.
“It was really special that he was able to observe that and see that,” said Doug Robertson, the leader of transportation volunteers and a Winston-Salem Professional Tennis board member.
“What I really took note of was just how many and how many different people were there. Usually it’s just friends and family, but there were a ton of [volunteer] purple shirts in that crowd, and I am just so thankful he got to see that,” Robertson said.
Martha Sutton had worked with Blankenship since the early days of the tournament and said she couldn’t help but repeat the reoccurring theme around the site.
“I know everyone is saying this, but it’s true. He was the quintessential volunteer. He was always willing and able to do whatever he was called upon to do with a smile and a gentle spirit,” Sutton said.
Rucker, along with everyone on site, finds the loss difficult to discuss but is bolstered by Blankenship’s legacy.
“What he did was he really brought a lot of people along, and now they are all – we are all – trying to help fill his shoes.”
