The Rt. Rev. Roger Wilson Blanchard, 88, of Round Pond, Maine, retired Bishop of Southern Ohio, died Feb. 17 following a long illness. Bishop Blanchard served in Southern Ohio for 13 years, and in his retirement he was an assisting bishop in the Diocese of Massachusetts.

A native of Brockton, Mass., he was a graduate of Boston University and Episcopal Theological School. He was ordained deacon in 1936 and priest in 1937, and served as curate at St. Stephen's Church, Lynn, Mass., from 1936 to 1938. He was rector of St. Peter's, Beverly, Mass., from 1938 to 1943, and rector of Calvary, Columbia, Mo., 1943-49. He was executive secretary of the Division of College Work for the national church from 1949 to 1956. In 1956, he became dean of St. John's Cathedral, Jacksonville, Fla., remaining there until 1958, when he was elected Bishop Coadjutor of Southern Ohio. He became diocesan bishop the following year, and served until 1971. He was appointed vice president of the national Executive Council in 1970 and served until his retirement in 1974.

Following his retirement, he was an assistant at Trinity Church, Boston, and assisting bishop in Massachusetts. For the past 18 years he worked as a volunteer with prisoners of the Maine state prison system and their families.

He is survived by his wife, Patricia, and three children.