Gerry Frank, Salem’s most well-known citizen and extra related to the enterprise, political and civic roots of this group than anybody earlier than him, died Sunday morning. He was 98.
Everybody knew Frank. For those who did not, you must have.
He was a businessman, an creator, a philanthropist and a champion of all issues Salem and Oregon. He helped increase greater than a half billion {dollars} for varied civic tasks and nonprofit organizations. That is half a billion, with a B.
“He is in all probability touched each individual on this group together with his generosity,” Barry Nelson of the Rotary Membership of Salem as soon as stated.
Frank was concerned with so many actions and organizations there’s by no means been sufficient house to listing them in all of the instances the Statesman Journal has written about him, starting from the American Most cancers Society to the World Conflict II Memorial.
He was a World Conflict II veteran and a Cambridge College graduate.
He was a fourth-generation Oregonian whose household based the retail chain Meier & Frank. He spearheaded the opening of its first department retailer in Salem in 1955, which is what introduced him to this group.
Frank grew to become a fixture of Oregon politics, as U.S. Sen. Mark Hatfield’s right-hand man.
He later grew to become the only real choose of a chocolate cake contest on the Oregon State Truthful and the co-founder of a gourmand cake store and restaurant. He additionally was the creator of guidebooks for New York and Oregon.
As proud as he was of all that, it was his work within the trenches of this group that endeared him to so many.
He was a board member or trustee to dozens of group organizations, together with Blanchet Catholic College, Cascade Pacific Council of the Boy Scouts of America, Oregon Historic Society, Oregon State Police Basis and Particular Olympics Oregon. Even when he turned 90, he nonetheless held positions for 18 totally different organizations.
Each group wished Frank’s presence or his checkbook, ideally each. One 12 months, he obtained 300 invites to talk at occasions.
“You would like you may do the whole lot individuals ask you to do,” he as soon as stated, “which clearly shouldn’t be doable.”
Even so, Frank might be noticed at nearly each civic and social occasion on the town, usually carrying pastel-colored shirts and ties, or eye-catching sweaters in cooler climate, and at all times a pair of funky loafers or brightly coloured sneakers.
And, sure, he was a grasp fundraiser concerned with dozens of efforts, together with campaigns for the Salvation Military Kroc Heart, Oregon Backyard, Oregon Coast Aquarium, Oregon Excessive Desert Museum and Oregon Symphony.
Potential donors had a troublesome time saying no to him.
He had a troublesome time saying no, too.
When he donated $1 million to assist construct the Kroc Heart in north Salem, it was virtually secondary.
“He really in all probability gave greater than that by his affect,” stated Dick Withnell, a pal and fellow businessman and philanthropist.
Being “Oregon’s Premier Citizen,” by gubernatorial proclamation in 2000, got here with a worth. Solely Frank knew simply how hefty that worth was.
“I’m public property 24 hours a day. I’ve no non-public life in any respect,” he stated throughout a 2017 interview. “That is not at all times simple, nevertheless it’s been that method all my life.”
To be frank, he introduced a few of that on himself. He was a quintessential self-promoter. His office-turned-museum displayed mementos from all his hobnobbing and globe-trotting.
Frank might have planted roots wherever, however he selected Salem. He lived in the identical home he had in-built 1954 within the Candalaria neighborhood till he died, and his love and concern for the group by no means wavered.
“If I have been writing about me,” he as soon as stated over lunch on the Konditorei, “I’d emphasize how lucky I really feel to have the ability to spend (greater than) a half-century on this metropolis. I stayed as a result of I really like the group and I really like the individuals right here.”
Table of Contents
Born into privilege
Gerald Wendel Frank was born Sept. 21, 1923, in Portland, the son of Aaron and Ruth Frank.
His father was a no-nonsense businessman who as president of Meier & Frank turned it into one of many main retail shops within the Northwest. His mom was the precise reverse, nurturing and loving.
“My father taught me the toughness of being a businessman,” Frank as soon as stated.”My mom taught me the significance of loving individuals and having a mushy aspect.”
He spent extra time together with his Scottish governess than both of his mother and father. Mrs. Anne “Roy” Munro got here to the Frank household when Gerry was a 12 months outdated, instructing him the significance of manners. Frank stored in contact together with her virtually each day till she died.
His mom died of a stroke in her 40s, and his father died in his 70s. His older brother additionally died comparatively younger, in his 40s, leaving 5 nephews and nieces with whom Frank was shut.
Frank attended public faculties, graduating from Lincoln Excessive in 1940. One among his fondest recollections at Ainsworth Grammar College was working for mayor and profitable the election on his thirteenth birthday.
That did not pave the best way for a future in politics, though he had an important uncle who served as Oregon’s governor within the Nineteen Thirties, and he would later work for a U.S. senator.
He additionally rebuffed a number of pleas to run for native workplace.
“I stop whereas I used to be forward,” he stated.
Frank’s childhood was one among privilege. His household had two houses, spending summers on what he known as “The Farm,” which was in Backyard House close to present-day Beaverton.
His father bought the idyllic property as a result of he wished a spot for his treasured present horses, with indoor and out of doors tracks and two stables.
It will definitely grew to become the household’s full-time residence. Along with a governess, the household’s employees included a housekeeper, a farrier and a head gardener.
Frank, who drove a brand new Cadillac when he was in highschool, by no means knew he was being introduced up otherwise than anybody till he placed on a navy uniform.
From the battlefield to Cambridge
He attended Loyola and Stanford universities earlier than becoming a member of the Military in 1943 and serving within the European Theater of Operations throughout World Conflict II.
He was a sergeant main within the discipline artillery of the 89th Infantry Division, third Military. His division took half in offensives that crossed the Moselle and Rhine rivers and overran Ohrdruf, the primary Nazi focus camp liberated by U.S. troops.
He undervalued his position and that of his unit in a letter house, dated April 9, 1945, and revealed practically seven a long time later in a e book about Frank revealed by Jan Boutin:
“Naturally, all are very happy with the achievement the division has made within the brief time now we have been in fight — an excessive amount of credit score can’t be given to the squaddies. In any case, they’re those who actually do the combating. The artillery, the place I’m, is only a supporting hand.”
In one other letter, he described the German countryside as pretty, reminding him of Oregon.
Together with his service got here nice alternative. The Military sponsored one soldier from every division — out of 15,000 — to attend European universities, and Frank was chosen for a time period at Cambridge.
After getting out of the Military, he returned to Cambridge to finish his Bachelor of Arts diploma and get a Grasp of Arts, with honors. He was there from 1946 to 1948, the one American out of 300 or so college students at Trinity Corridor, one of many faculties.
Years later, in 2000, he was amongst a small group of distinguished graduates invited to dine on Thanksgiving with Queen Elizabeth II for the 650-year anniversary of Trinity Corridor. His Royal Highness Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburg, was chancellor of the college on the time.
Guinea fowl as a substitute of turkey was served, depriving Frank of one among his favourite dishes, however he stated it was definitely worth the once-in-a-lifetime expertise.
“I needed to pinch myself that this ex-rag service provider from Salem was eating with the queen,” he stated upon returning to Salem.
Meier & Frank branches out
Enlargement of northwest retail large Meier & Frank introduced Frank to city. His father was president of the corporate when it started scouting areas for its first department retailer.
“My dad and I on Sundays would drive round Salem and Eugene, the 2 apparent locations for a retailer,” Frank stated. “Dad would put his coat collar up so no person would acknowledge him. The minute phrase received out that Meier & Frank was on the lookout for property, the value would go up.”
Eugene was additional away from Portland and on the time the bigger metropolis, however there wasn’t a good downtown website to construct. A block grew to become obtainable in downtown Salem, making it the frontrunner.
The property, bounded by Heart, Church, Marion and Excessive streets, included the constructing that served as Salem’s first highschool. By the point Meier & Frank bought the property and commenced demolition, it housed solely college administration workplaces.
Frank was named the Salem retailer supervisor in 1953 and in preparation for the opening, spent a 12 months touring the world taking a look at new shops, procuring facilities and parking garages. He visited department shops in London, Paris and Rome to get concepts for merchandise show.
The $5 million, 183,000-square-foot Salem retailer, the most important within the state outdoors Portland, opened Oct. 27, 1955. A frenzied crowd of 75,000 individuals flocked to the shop that day, greater than half the inhabitants of Salem. Some got here simply to journey the novel escalators.
The shop featured a few of the most fashionable improvements in retail advertising, together with an hooked up parking storage for 750 automobiles.
Frank did extra than simply handle the opening and day-to-day operations of a affluent retailer that will anchor downtown for a few years. He instantly received concerned locally, which he felt was essential to the shop’s success. He joined the hospital board and have become energetic in United Manner, Chamber of Commerce and Boy Scouts, and that was only a begin.
Frank resigned as vp and supervisor of Meier & Frank in 1965, across the time a bitter intra-family battle erupted over potential buyout provides. The chain was acquired the next 12 months by Might Division Shops, which later offered to the guardian firm of Macy’s.
It was troublesome for Frank to observe the household enterprise, which his great-grandfather Aaron Meier began in 1857, cross into company fingers.
“There hasn’t been a day since I left that individuals have not stated to me how a lot they miss Meier & Frank,” Frank stated throughout a latest interview.
Some say one of many important causes he stayed in Salem and was so charitable was to thank the group for the division retailer’s success.
Buying and selling retail for politics
Frank met Mark Hatfield after they have been named two of the state’s most eligible bachelors by “The Oregonian” in 1956. Frank was working Meier & Frank on the time. Hatfield was an formidable younger state senator from Marion County and dean of scholars at Willamette College.
The 2 grew to become pals, and Frank in the end grew to become Hatfield’s closest advisor and chief of employees throughout two phrases as governor and three a long time on Capitol Hill.
Frank adopted Hatfield to Washington, the place he was a particular advisor the primary time period, paid a token $1 solely in order that he can be allowed on the Senate flooring. He later took cost of Hatfield’s workplace and did obtain a wage.
He did not want the cash. He was a millionaire.
Frank was an influencer behind the scenes, broadly often known as “Oregon’s third senator.”
“Few individuals ever occupy such a confidential place with a decision-maker,” Ted Kulongoski, then state insurance coverage commissioner, stated in a 1988 Statesman Journal article. “It is uncommon within the sense that a person is prepared to sacrifice the glory for any individual else. Name it maturity, sophistication or no matter — Gerry simply acknowledges you do not have to have a microphone in entrance of you to be efficient as an elected official.”
Frank might have had his personal profession in politics, however he at all times stated he did not have the required ego.
Hatfield retired in 1997, having by no means misplaced an election, and Frank was a giant purpose.
The king of chocolate cake
Hatfield was chargeable for the chocolate cake contest that bore Frank’s title and have become one of many longest-standing traditions on the Oregon State Truthful.
After Frank helped manage his profitable gubernatorial marketing campaign in 1958, Hatfield requested if there was one thing he wished in return. Considering of his penchant for chocolate, he informed Hatfield he’d like to evaluate chocolate truffles on the state truthful.
As Frank favored to say, it was Hatfield’s solely political “payoff” in a protracted and esteemed profession.
The Gerry Frank Chocolate Layer Cake Contest was launched in 1959, and Frank was the only real choose for 60 consecutive years by means of 2019. Every year, he ate 100 to 200 forkfuls of chocolate cake in just some hours. Even for an admitted chocoholic, he relied on a “Pepto-Bismol sandwich” to endure, taking a swig of the pink elixir earlier than and after.
Solely a pandemic might pressure him to place the fork down.
Learn extra:Gerry Frank’s Konditorei has new homeowners
A five-layer, milk chocolate cake with milk chocolate buttercream frosting grew to become the muse of the gourmand cake store he and Barney Rogers opened in 1982. They met on the board of administrators of Normal Insurance coverage, of which Frank’s grandfather was one of many founders.
Gerry Frank’s Konditorei, the German phrase for a pastry and low store, expanded over time to serve breakfast, lunch and dinner seven days every week. The 40-seat café grew to become a group landmark on the nook of Industrial and Kearney streets SE with its pink and white awnings.
Frank grew to become the only real proprietor in 2012 when he purchased out Rogers, then offered the enterprise in 2017 to a gaggle that included his longtime supervisor. The café has since expanded.
A part of the deal was that his title would keep on the marquee and title.
Museum for an workplace
Frank was related. The partitions within the fifth-floor penthouse at Spinnaker Place in southeast Salem reminded a customer simply how related.
That was his workplace for 20 years, and it was half boardroom, half museum.
Adorned from flooring to ceiling with autographed portraits, all signed to Frank, they showcased the well-known individuals he rubbed elbows with.
They included Bob Hope, Sammy Davis Jr., Lucille Ball, President George W. Bush, Queen Elizabeth and Tony Blair, simply to call just a few.
Guests to Frank’s workplace arrived and departed starstruck, considering they’d simply been to a museum, not a workspace.
“I am used to it,” Frank stated. “I see them trying round and simply sit right here.”
One wall in his workplace was dedicated to Oregon politicians, with Hatfield within the middle. One other picture confirmed Frank between then-Gov. Ted Kulongoski and first girl Mary Oberst, with Oberst giving Frank a smooch on the cheek.
Every encounter was particular to Frank, some greater than others. Assembly Mom Teresa ranked proper up there with the best, and private correspondence from her was amongst his most treasured mementos.
He visited her just a few instances in Calcutta, India, whereas he was chief of employees for Hatfield within the Nineteen Seventies and Eighties, and one other time when she got here to Washington, D.C., and attended a prayer breakfast.
A subset of his assortment included paperwork and images signed by all of the presidents of america and all of the presidents of the Continental Congress. It took 20 years of perusing auctions and bookstore attics for him to finish.
Frank was persistent it doesn’t matter what the endeavor.
In October 2020, he reluctantly moved out of his workplace, realizing it was time to downsize at his age. He shared a lot of the gathering with companies, eating places and organizations throughout city and the state, locations that have been a part of his life.
His solely request was that the gadgets be shared publicly, not locked up in a vault.
The big spherical desk the place so many plans have been hatched and funds raised for group tasks may have a brand new house on the YMCA. The tales that desk might inform are the stuff of legend, just like the time 20 enterprise leaders gathered round it for a 2006 breakfast assembly, ensuing in $2 million in pledges in 20 minutes for the Kroc Heart.
Learn extra:At 97, this Salem superstar is downsizing – and gifting a lifetime of memorabilia
Many gadgets went to the Oregon Historic Society, together with gadgets associated to Hatfield and Meier & Frank. Kerry Tymchuk, government director of the Portland museum, made three journeys to Salem to gather the products, together with stacks of Frank’s private scrapbooks. There are greater than 150 of them, first stored by his household, then by his assistants.
“It is a one-of-a-kind historical past of Oregon,” Tymchuk stated.
Group was his forte
Every part had a spot in Frank’s workplace, together with his mega-Rolodex, which crammed two side-by-side drawers.
Inside have been 3-by-5-inch index playing cards, cataloging 150,000 individuals from everywhere in the world. On every card have been a reputation, deal with and telephone quantity and a notation about his affiliation with that individual. One drawer was filed alphabetically by title, the opposite by location.
The methodical system revealed so much about Frank. He was ultra-organized and super-connected.
“He is that one that has the information, the contacts and the dedication to take troublesome tasks fully by means of the method,” Salem Mayor Janet Taylor as soon as stated. “His affect worldwide has been an amazing asset to Salem. I consider him as our personal Nike. He is our Fortune 500 firm.”
Along with despising disorganization, Frank admitted he had a low tolerance for inefficiency, was impatient, and did not like change.
That spoke volumes about his three government assistants, Linda Wooters, Linda Chase and Olga Polyakova, who labored for him for 26, 16 and 7 years, respectively. He at all times allow them to know the way essential they have been.
“You’ll be able to’t do all of it your self,” Frank as soon as stated. “You have to have any individual you may belief.”
Even his assistants puzzled how he squeezed in all his obligations, contemplating he usually spent every week or two a month doing analysis for his well-liked guidebook, “The place to Discover It, Purchase It, Eat It in New York.”
In 1980, he paid an Oregon firm to publish 10,000 copies after being shunned by a stuffy New York editor who didn’t consider a “hick from Oregon” might write a reputable information in regards to the Large Apple. The e book went on to promote greater than 1 million copies by means of 20 editions.
He later revealed “Gerry Frank’s Oregon,” a guidebook for his house state.
Frank was on the highway so much and continued to drive into his 90s. His automobiles weren’t as flashy as his wardrobe. One of many final autos he drove was a Hyundai Sonata hybrid.
When these near him determined it was time for him to show in his license, it was then-Salem Police Chief Jerry Moore who sat him down for the discuss. Frank had already come to the choice on his personal, however he made his pal sweat it out whereas making an attempt to interrupt the information.
Frank at all times stored a inflexible schedule and lived an ultra-healthy way of life, proudly saying he by no means had alcohol, smoked cigarettes, did medicine — or indulged in a cup of espresso.
For years, he swam day by day at 5 a.m. within the indoor pool at his house, adopted by a light-weight breakfast, his least favourite meal.
On a typical day, he had three or 4 workplace appointments, a luncheon assembly, then headed house for an hour-long nap. He was hardly ever house for dinner due to group occasions or social engagements and at all times tried to get in mattress by 10 p.m.
“The key to all of it is retaining busy,” Frank stated. “I believe you have to maintain your thoughts occupied.”
A legacy of service
Frank had few regrets in his life, solely that he by no means had kids — he informed the Statesman Journal he would have beloved to have had a giant household — and that he could not do the whole lot requested of him.
He was a lifelong bachelor however had loads of suitors, particularly through the time he managed Meier & Frank. At house, he stored a drawer stuffed with letters from girls who openly pursued him. He admitted just a few got here near snaring him.
His nieces and nephews and the Hatfield kids have been his household. In some ways, the residents of Salem have been, too.
He was acknowledged numerous instances for his civic service and management, at all times humble and grateful, irrespective of how small the gesture was.
“What touches me essentially the most,” he as soon as stated, “is when individuals say, ‘We thanks for what you do for the group.’ “
Along with the cake store, his title graces the native United Manner headquarters constructing devoted in 2000, a kids’s care middle that opened in 2004 at Windfall St. Vincent Medical Heart in Portland, and most lately the $4 million multipurpose amphitheater at Riverfront Park in downtown Salem.
The amphitheater was a challenge of the Rotary Membership of Salem, which Frank had been a member of since 1956. He wore Badge No. 1 at conferences and was the longest-tenured member of the membership.
“Rotary’s motto is ‘Service Above Self,’ ” challenge co-chair Barry Nelson stated. “He is a strolling billboard for ‘Service Above Self.’ “
In the course of the 2021 dedication, the amphitheater in all its architectural glory took a backseat to its namesake. A star-studded lineup on the invitation-only occasion took turns lauding Frank’s contributions as a businessman, group chief and philanthropist.
Learn extra:Gerry Frank Salem Rotary Amphitheater at Riverfront Park unveiled
He was described as a confidante and advisor to numerous governors and elected officers, an instigator of fine issues, and the good connector.
“Earlier than Fb, earlier than Twitter, earlier than all of the social media we now rely upon, there was Gerry Frank,” Oregon Sen. Betsy Johnson stated. “For those who knew Gerry, you have been linked in, earlier than there was LinkedIn.”
His circle of pals was huge.
He had a standing date with Kulongoski for breakfast on Sundays. They often ate waffles. He remained shut pals with Terry Lundgren, the retired CEO of Macy’s. Lundgren was an early donor to the amphitheater challenge and flew from again east for the dedication.
When Michael Roth heard Frank was having loaves of ciabatta bread introduced in from New York, at fairly the expense, he had the bakery workforce at Roth’s Recent Markets create its personal model. Gerry Frank’s Ciabatta Bread grew to become a best-seller.
Roth and his late father, Orville, have been amongst a gaggle of well-to-do native pals who put Frank on an Interstate 5 billboard for his ninetieth birthday. The large birthday card featured a portrait of him in shirt and tie and was “signed” Bud (Pierce), Jim (Bernau), Ken (Austin), Larry (Tokarski), Michael (Roth), Orville (Roth) and Dick (Withnell).
Withnell stated it was completed to acknowledge how proud they have been that Frank nonetheless lived in Salem and the Willamette Valley.
Frank might have lived wherever, together with Portland, however he beloved Salem. He did spend a whole lot of time driving between the 2 cities, greater than a 12 months of his life in accordance with his calculations.
“I do not need or want something once I kick the bucket, besides to have the freeway between Portland and Salem named the Gerry Frank Freeway,” he as soon as confided that he informed a pal on the Oregon Division of Transportation.
Understanding Frank, he was solely half-joking, and it does not appear far-fetched for a person who did a lot for Oregon.
Capi Lynn is the Statesman Journal’s information columnist. She writes in regards to the individuals and historical past of this group, and Gerry Frank was a frequent topic of her columns over time. Contact her at clynn@StatesmanJournal.com or 503-399-6710, or observe her on Twitter @CapiLynn and Fb @CapiLynnSJ.