Richard Franz Obituary (2021) – Harrisburg, PA

Richard Noel Franz, Sr., 93 years old, of Harrisburg PA, came peacefully to his Heavenly Father on August 11, 2021. Richard “Dick” was born in 1928 to Paul and Eleanor (Hermanns) Franz in Elkins Park, PA. born. He graduated from Cheltenham High School in ’45 and received his degree in industrial engineering from Lehigh University in ’49. During his studies, Dick was active in the Delta-Tau-Delta Brotherhood. Richard proudly served our country from 1950-52 in the US Army stationed in Germany. After his service, he worked as an engineer and then as sales manager for Worthington Compressors, Gardner-Denver Cooper Industries, Weil-McLain and for Stabler Industries here in Harrisburg as President of Protection Services Inc. until he was 72 years old in 2000 Retired His professional career took him and his family across the state of Pennsylvania, to Atlanta, Massachusetts, Denver, Dallas, Michigan City IN and finally to Harrisburg in 1984. His work in international sales took him to South America and Europe. His loving wife and devoted mother to her children, Charme (Tankersley) Franz, came across the border in 1995 and has him with his parents, Eleanor (Hermanns) Franz and Paul J. Franz and his brother Paul J. Franz Jr. Richard, Welcomed to Heaven was an avid bird watcher and nature lover. As a longtime member of the Audubon Society, he contributed articles to their newsletter. He was an amazing piper with a huge repertoire of bird calls and animal sounds and loved keeping his family entertained with his yodelling skills. He also enjoyed golf and was a member of the Country Club of Harrisburg for several years. As a loving father, he taught his children to appreciate the beauty of nature. He had a great singing voice and made singing a part of his life by serenading everyone who listened. His beautifully sung lyrics can still be heard in the memories of his children today. Dick was both a patriot and a true gentleman. His great sense of humor and quick wittedness remained part of his personality to the end. In particular, his legacy is an active, devoted, and loving father, just as he has been a wonderful provider for his family. He will be remembered for having a unique ability to bring joy to every community he was a part of, including the residents and staff of Kindred Place, where he lived for 15 years. Even in his last days with advanced dementia, his happiness determined who he always was and how he will always be remembered. He is celebrated, loved, cherished, and survived by his children; Laura (Franz) Matika (Mark), Nicole (Franz) Karnash (Stan) and Rich Franz Jr. as well as his grandchildren Gia and Marko Matika, Noelle Bailey and Cami Karnash and Brenna and Jett Franz. He is deeply missed and always and forever stay in their hearts and memories. Richard’s family is so grateful for the love his carers have shown over the years. They were true angels on earth. A memorial service will be held on Friday, September 17, 2021 from 12:00 p.m. to 1:00 p.m. at the Jesse H. Geigle Funeral Home, 2100 Linglestown Rd., Harrisburg, PA 17110.

Published by Patriot-News from August 28th to August 29th, 2021.

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