Andrew Frank

Andrew Paul (Andy) Frank, 63, of Lewis Center, passed away at his home suddenly on Wednesday, January 31, 2024. His death was completely unexpected and his family and friends are devastated by their loss.

Andy was born on April 17, 1960 in Loudonville, OH to the late Robert W. Frank and Margaret (Conkle) Frank. He was the youngest of five children. He grew up on a farm near Loudonville, OH, and was baptized and confirmed at Zion Lutheran Church near Danville, OH. He graduated from Loudonville High School in 1978.

After graduating from high school, Andy attended the Ohio Institute of Technology (OIT now DeVry) graduating with an Associate of Applied Science degree in Electronic Technology. While a student at OIT, Andy lived in the dorms of Capital University and became a member of Alpha Phi Omega (APO), a national service fraternity. Following graduation, he was recruited to work for Teledyne Med, in Palo Alto, CA, where his work required a high-level security clearance. He lived there for 7 years and made many friendships that continued until his death.

After returning to Ohio in 1987, Andy attended the Ohio State University (OSU) where he graduated in the winter of 1992 with the degree of Bachelor of Applied Science in Business Administration with a major in Marketing. While at OSU, Andy became a member of the Block O Student Organization, the official cheering section of the Ohio State Buckeyes, even though he was a little older than the usual college student. He could often be seen on television during basketball games cheering for the Buckeyes from the front row in St. John Arena. Andy loved The Buckeyes and he loved being a member of Block O. Because of his great enthusiasm for the Buckeyes, an award was created in his honor. The Andy Frank Award is given annually to the “rowdiest, craziest Buckeye fan with the most heart and soul of the scarlet and gray”.

After graduating, Andy continued to support the Block O Student Organization as an alumnus of the group and invited all of the undergrads to the “Frank Tailgate Party” in the St. John Arena parking lot each Saturday of football season. He also enjoyed taking his nephews to various Ohio State games. The Buckeye Room in the basement of his home is a snapshot of his enthusiasm for all things Buckeye. The real legacy of Andy’s passion and dedication to the Buckeyes lives on in past, present, and future Block O members. He truly bled Scarlet & Gray.

After graduating from OSU, Andy began work at The Frank Gates Service Company. He was an account executive with extensive workers’ compensation risk management experience. He enjoyed his job and the people he worked with. The company name had changed through the years several times. By the end of his 27 years as a loyal employee, the company name had changed to CareWorks Comp. Andy was a conscientious professional with a proven record of high client retention and satisfaction. He was especially proud of the work he did with the Ohio Township Association. The friendships Andy made there continued until his death.

Andy met Sue Xander in 1988 and they were married on December 29, 1990. They lived near Bexley, OH and later built a home in Lewis Center, OH, where they hosted many gatherings and holiday meals including an annual Superbowl Party and the annual Frank Family Labor Day Movie-a thon Weekend. They enjoyed driving to Hilton Head, SC twice a year to spend a week in the sun and enjoyed “work weeks” at Camp Luther in Conneaut, OH. Andy was a loving husband and an unwavering supporter to Sue during her medical struggles. They were married for 33 years until Andy’s untimely passing. Their family of dogs included Shannon, Maggie Mae, and most recently, Bailey.

The Buckeyes were not the only sports team that garnered Andy’s passion and dedication. Andy was a life-long fan of the Cleveland Browns, the Cleveland Indians, and the Cleveland Cavaliers. Unfortunately, he never got to see the Browns win the Superbowl or the Indians win the World Series. These were both life-long goals of his.

Andy also participated in sports himself, playing in a softball league, as well as the softball and dart ball teams at Christ Lutheran Church in Bexley, OH, where Andy was a member. Golf has also been a sport that Andy has enjoyed playing and watching. He and his wife frequently housed both PGA golfers and caddies at their home for the Memorial Golf Tournament and the Nationwide Children’s Hospital Championship. He more recently enjoyed weekly golf outings with his fellow “retired” friends whom he met while working with the Ohio Township Association.

In addition to his parents Andy was preceded in death by his sister, Barbara Anderson and his nieces, Brenda Anderson and Stephanie Frank Vesper.

Andy will be greatly missed by his loving wife, Sue Frank, siblings: Rosie (Lynn) Tharaldson, Steve (Nancy) Frank, and John (Kathy) Frank; his brother-in-law, Bill Anderson; 10 nieces and nephews and 22 great nieces and nephews along with many other family and friends.

A visitation for Andy will be held Saturday, February 17, 2024 from 10:00-11:00 a.m. followed by a Memorial Service at 11:00 a.m., both at Christ Lutheran Church, 2314 East Main Street, Bexley, OH 43209.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the OSU Block O Andy Frank award at https://buckeyefunder.osu.edu/project/41342 or to Christ Lutheran CHurch, 2314 E. Main St., Bexley, OH 43209.