Eugene Blackman; was NU professor

Rain or shine, professor Eugene J. Blackman never canceled his annual barbecue. Generation after generation, students, faculty, and friends of Northeastern University gathered at his Milton home to socialize and talk theater.

"He absolutely loved his students," his wife, Edna, of Boynton Beach, Fla., said yesterday. "He was like the Pied Piper; they followed anything he did because he was like a father to them."

Mr. Blackman, a former professor emeritus of the theater department at Northeastern, died at his Boynton Beach home Wednesday. He was 81.

Born in Malden, Mr. Blackman graduated from Malden High School before attending Boston University, where he earned bachelor's and master's degrees in theater.

Known to students and colleagues as "Prof," Mr. Blackman went to Northeastern in 1947 and worked his way up from English instructor to theater director to professor of English and drama. He oversaw more than 100 student productions and served as chairman of the theater department from 1960 to 1982. Through his efforts, departments of music and speech were created in the College of Arts and Sciences.

in, or attended his productions."

In recognition of his service to the University, Northeastern's former Alumni Auditorium was renamed Blackman Auditorium.

When he retired in 1988, the Eugene J. Blackman Scholarship was established as a tribute to Mr. Blackman by his colleagues, students, and friends. An endowed fund provides an annual scholarship to a student who shows outstanding promise in theater.

Described by friends and family members as easygoing and jolly, Mr. Blackman had a passion for the outdoors and spent many nights reading mystery novels.

In addition to his wife, he leaves a sister, Adeline Katz of Boynton Beach; a son, Lawrence of Mansfield; and three grandchildren.

A service will be held today at Stanetsky Memorial Chapels in Canton. Burial is private.