Lasting Memories

Henry Joseph Blommer
March 3, 1932-Sept. 14, 2026
Atherton, California

Henry Joseph (Hank) Blommer, Jr. lived with passion, curiosity, and courage – a man who embraced life fully, whether exploring the wilderness as a boy, flying his plane across the West, carving down ski slopes with his family or fighting to preserve his family business that carried the Blommer name. Hank died peacefully in his home in Atherton, California, on September 15, 2026, at the age of 94. Born on March 3, 1932, in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, to Henry and Viola Blommer, Hank was the eldest of four children. From an early age, he was drawn to adventure and the outdoors. Summers spent exploring Lake Michigan and canoeing the Canadian Boundary Waters with his childhood friend helped shape the independence, confidence, and love of nature that would remain with him throughout his life. Athletic, competitive, and endlessly energetic, Hank developed passions that became lifelong pursuits: skiing, tennis, golf, fishing and flying. He attended Milwaukee Country Day School and graduated from the College of the Holy Cross in 1955 before serving two years in the United States Navy as a Lieutenant Junior Grade. As a young man, he earned his pilot’s license, which began decades of flying adventures that reflected both his love of freedom and his willingness to chart his own course. In the late 1950’s, Hank joined the chocolate business founded by his father Henry and uncles Al and Bern and immersed himself in the business. After nearly a decade managing operations at the Chicago plant, he moved his young family west to the San Francisco Bay Area to build and lead a new production facility. There, Hank significantly expanded the company through his instinct for innovation, his ability to build enduring customer relationships, and his deep loyalty to his employees. The defining chapter of Hank’s business life came in 1992. Following the death of his father, another branch of the family sold its ownership stake to Cargill, creating what many believed was an impossible situation: a hostile takeover by one of the largest private companies in America. Advisors and industry experts warned that the Blommer family could not prevail. Hank refused to accept that outcome. Hank took on the challenge with the same determination that was characteristic of the company’s founders. Against the odds, he ultimately succeeded in convincing Cargill to sell back the shares to the Blommer family, preserving the company’s independence and paving the way for decades of future growth. Under family leadership, Blommer would go on to become the largest cocoa processor and ingredient chocolate manufacturer in North America. Hank possessed a sharp intellect, a voracious appetite for reading and history, and an instinctive belief that challenges were meant to be confronted, not avoided. He approached life with boldness and enthusiasm and encouraged others to do the same. On the ski slopes, his children often heard his favorite advice: “You’ve got to have thunder in your chest and lightning on your skis.” It was more than a skiing lesson; it was a life lesson. His best life lesson though, was to “have fun every day and to laugh every day!” For all his business accomplishments, Hank’s greatest joy was found with family and friends – especially outdoors. Lake Tahoe became his happy place, where weekends and holidays were filled with skiing, boating, laughter, and the constant gathering of children and grandchildren. Whether carving down the ski slopes, creating the biggest rooster tail he could while water skiing, making the biggest splash when doing his daily cannonball into the pool, catching and releasing the biggest fish while fly fishing with his sons, or hitting the ball as far as he could on the golf course, he never lost his playfulness. As a member of Sharon Heights Country Club and Menlo Circus Club, Hank enjoyed the camaraderie of his golf and tennis friends, particularly his weekly gatherings of the “Z Group” for tennis, lunch, and laughter. Those who knew him best remember not only his determination and strength but also his warmth, humor, generosity, and deep love for the people around him. Of all the roles he held in life, none meant more to him than being a father. His seven children were his greatest pride, his deepest joy, and the most important part of his life. Raised in a strong Catholic family and shaped by his Jesuit education, Hank had a strong faith that brought him a sense of peace and gratitude. Hank was a loving husband to his wife Judy for 50 years. They enjoyed making a stable home for the children and traveling the world. They learned to appreciate contemporary art through the Contemporary Collectors Group at Stanford University and went on many art trips. After retirement, they joined The Reserve in Palm Desert, and Hank enjoyed playing golf in the winter and going to Lake Tahoe in the summer. Hank is predeceased by his parents, Henry and Viola, his brother Joseph, and sister Ann. He is survived by his wife Judith Nellign (Judy) Blommer, his brother Peter Herman Blommer (Sally), and his children, Janet Blommer Jennings (Jeff McPhail), Henry Joseph (Joe) Blommer III (Ann Tozier), Ann Story (Tori) Blommer-O’Malley (Tom), Mary Blommer Carreno (Michael), Peter William Blommer (Ellen), Stephen Johnston (Steve) Blommer (Chuck Holzwarth), and Katherine Ann (Katie) Blommer, as well as 15 grandchildren and 23 great-grandchildren. The family would also like to express their heartfelt gratitude to his devoted caregivers, Jose, Martha, and Katie, who brought kindness, compassion, friendship, loving care, dignity, and comfort to his final years.