Gunnar Blanke - Denver Loses one of the Greats

Our local production community has suffered a lot of loss over the last year. First we learned about Ralph Binder’s tragic automobile accident as he was on his way to cover the Oklahoma mall shootings for ABC. Then earlier this month, I got the shocking call from fellow cameraman Mark Weiler that Gunnar Blanke had passed away the day before while on a shoot. Gunnar has been an icon in this community forever, usually spotted behind his jib, or helping someone out, or laughing. Once I saw him outside Western Cine picking up some film he had shot for a timelapse project about lightning. The last time I saw him was while he was shooting the Colorado Symphony’s Christmas concert. I was there as a “civilian” with my family. I couldn’t take my eye off his camera, as it swept perfectly above the crowd at the end of his jib - skilled hands guiding it towards the stage. Gunnar was also an accomplished glider pilot who loved to soar. He was only 61 years old, and is survived by his wife Rose and sister Tana. Gunnar - we will miss you.

Thank you to Laszlo Varga for this great photo.

Obituary

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This Article first appeared in the April 2008 issue of Big Pictures News.

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