Teodoras BLINSTRUBAS (b. 1906.11.26 Požerūnai, Tauragė r., Lithuania) – teacher, lithuanian community activist. 1920-23 learnt in Tauragė gymnasium, 1923-27 in Tauragė teachers seminary. 1927-33 worked as a teacher in Švėkšna Saulės and Joniškis gymnasiums. 1933-44 director of Rietavas, Pilviškiai, Šeduva progymnasiums and Kupiškis and Vilkija gymnasiums. Went to Vytautas Didysis university and finished it in 1939. Wife Barbora †(1929.07.12 – 1999).
Early integrated into public life. Acted in šauliai, jaunalietuviai and tautininkai organisations. In 1944 emigrated to Germany, where in 1945, in Oldenburg camp, established Lithuanian gymnasium. Was it’s first director. In 1948 moved to USA. 1950-52 in Illinois technological institute, heard a course of drawing lectures and 1951-73 worked as drawer and engineer.
In USA also acted in Lithuanian organizations. 1950-60 treasurer and vice-chairman of Chicago Lithuanians Council, 1956-57 chairman. 1958-87 member of USA Lithuanians Council, vice-chairman, 1984-87 chairman. Since 1987 honorary member. 1952-62 vice-chairman and chief of education department of USA Lithuanians Community (LB), Chicago branch. Member of USA LB council, III-V and VII tenures. Member of first four Lithuanian World Community parliaments. Chairman of first USA and Canada Lithuanians Society’s culture congress (1956). Vice-chairman and treasurer of second USA and Canada Lithuanians song festival (1961). Since 1951 held various positions in council of USA Lithuanians National Union. (ALTS); 1967-73. chairman of union, 1988-90 member of honour court, since 1990 it’s chairman. 1980-92 vice-chairman of Lithuanian National Movement.Teodoras Blinstrubas
Many years was a member of General Lithuania Liberation Committee (VLIK). Activist in Lithuania liberation conferences. In 1967,1975 and 1986 was delegate in delegation of Lithuania liberation matter at USA presidents. One of founders of Lithuanians Foundation (LF), 1962-65 first chairman. 1960-62 director of United USA Lithuanians Foundation (BALF). Since 1990 member of Lithuanistic Research Centre.1970-81 chairman of magazine Naujoji Viltis. Vice-chairman of society Viltis (1973-75), secretary (1975-77).
Medaled – Independence medal (1928), Three flames medal (1937m.), Star medal (1986). In 1997.02.10 President of Lithuania Algirdas Mykolas Brazauskas medaled with medal of Grand Duke of Lithuania Gediminas. Teodoras Blinstrubas received this medal in Chicago, 1997.05.21 from ambassador in USA Alfonsas Eidintas.
Teodoras Blinstrubas passed away on 1999.10.6, in Chicago. Buried in Chicago St. Casimir Lithuanian cemetery.
Teodoras Blinstrubas director of Oldenburg (Germany) lithuanian gymnasium 1945-46
Teodoras Blinstrubas (fourth from left), in a meeting at the White House with US President Gerald Ford, along with the Chief of Lithuanian Liberation Committee leaders Kazys Bobelis, Kazys Šidlauskas and Latvian and Estonian community leaders 27.02.1975
Teodoras Blinstrubas (third from left), in a meeting at the White House with US President Ronald Reagan, along with Latvia and Estonia community leaders 11/07/1986
Teodoras Blinstrubas, director of Kupiskis gymnasium 1938
Teodoras Blinstrubas with abstinents of Kupiskis 1939
Teodoras Blinstrubas in 1993
Teodoras Blinstrubas (second from left), holding with US President Ronald Reagan Baltic Freedom aword 12/06/1986