Robert Haile Frank

Bob passed away on July 2, 2022, shortly after midnight. His death was unexpected to us, but not to his Heavenly Father. Bob was predeceased by his parents, Albert Fred Frank of Louisiana and Nettie Mae Barrow of Tennessee. He was also predeceased by both his siblings, Albert Fred Frank, Jr. and Helun Frank Wirner. Bob was the last of his earthly family.

Bob graduated from Carr Central High School in 1958. From 1958-1960, Bob attended a Junior College. He went on to graduate from the University of Mississippi in 1962 with a degree in Computer Science. He loved watching his Ole Miss Rebels.

He was in the Army on active duty from 1963-1965 and in the reserves until 1969. The Army brought Bob to the Washington, DC area, where he remained the rest of his life. Bob continued studying throughout his life. Graduate study in Information Management Systems, American University, Graduate Control Data Institute in Computer Science, Graduate Capital Bible Seminary, Biblical Studies Certificate, Computer courses in ORACLE DBMS and PowerBuilder, Strayer College 1994 and 1995.

Bob was a civil servant for the federal government. He was a Computer Programmer Analyst for the U.S. Army Management Systems Support Agency, HQDA from 1969-1984. He was an ADP Resource Manager for the U.S. Intelligence and Security Command (INSCOM), Life Cycle Management Directorate from 1984-1985. Bob’s last position as a federal government civilian was as the Systems Automation Manager for the U.S. Army Command and Control Support Agency from Sep 1985 – Dec 1994. Bob continued to work for a government contractor, JAVIS, as a Senor Computer Systems Analyst from 1995 - 2011.

Bob was part of many fellowships and groups throughout his life in the Arlington/Falls Church area. Some of the churches he attended over the years are: Barcroft Baptist, where he was involved in the singles group and used his hospitality skills inviting others to his home for a meal; Cherrydale Baptist; McLean Bible Church; Discovering the Word, an adult Bible Class, where, again, he shared his hospitality gift by supplying the monthly birthday cake and for more than a decade, all the paper goods the class needed to share breakfast together each Sunday; Bethel Regular Baptist; and Fairfax Baptist Temple.

Bob was also a regular at many restaurants throughout the area. He was part of a Hot Shoppes “eat at the counter group”, where he met and maintained friendships until his death. Through these various fellowships, Bob made many friends that live throughout the country and have stayed in touch through letters, calls, emails and in recent years texts. Bob was an incredibly generous man to many. We will never know how many people were the recipient of financial blessings from Bob. He did not brag about those he helped. Through the recent contacts we made since his death, countless people shared how Bob blessed them. He blessed many with scholarships to seminary, whether they knew it or not.

Bob was an original owner in the Fairlington Condo Association, where he made and maintained many friends until he moved into the Goodwin House at Bailey’s Crossroads in May 2021.

Upon his retirement in 2011, Bob enjoyed many hours of studying God’s Word through online programs and in person. Watching the stock market and being “Client Number One” of Bernhardt Wealth Management. He relished this position, self-named of course. He enjoyed dinners out with many friends. Though Bob did not have any remaining earthly family, Bob was linked to so many people and had a good life. He often shared with me that he was never lonely, never felt alone, and he was his own best company, laughing at his own jokes. Many of us have enjoyed his jokes and his wit. As someone share recently, they could not always keep up with his wit. He also said he was born to the purple. We affectionately referred to him as HRH (His Royal Highness) Robert Haile Frank.

Bob you were “Special” and you will be missed.

Bob will be cremated and placed in the columbarium at Arlington National Cemetery at a later date.