[Rotary] Frank Engelhardt

Mon May 28 16:07:54 PDT 2018

Dear Jerry

Thank you so much for keeping  our Rotary family informed on the passage of our own American Hero. Frank was very much on my mind this weekend as we watched National and local tributes to those who have selflessly served their country and their communities. I was even composing a letter to Frank to thank him for the two times that he made a difference in my involvement with Rotary. I would like to briefly share those experiences because I believe it speaks to the character of the man.

The first time was shortly after we had moved to Hawaii and our dear friend and fellow Rotarian Don Tucker was in his final days. I had booked an airline ticket home, but knew that I would not arrive for a critical two days. Wilma was exhausted and I was very worried about her as well as Don, as they did not want anyone to know how tenuous the situation was with Don. I called Frank and asked him if he could “drop in” on Don just to briefly say hi. He went the very next day. Frank spent the afternoon with Don and they talked on a myriad of subjects, the war, rotary, the hospital, etc., later that day Frank called me to fill me in but to also thank me for calling him. He really felt that visit was a gift not only to him, but to Don who told him how much it meant to him. That was the last conversation that Don had with anyone, shortly after Frank left, he went into a coma.

The second time Frank came to my aid was shortly after Rick and I had moved back to California. I was the incoming President for our club and was charged with planning Charter night. I was frankly terrified. Our club appeared to be in transition and I was at loss as to how to merge the old time members who had the history and the development of the club with the many new members who had new ideas and energy and wanted to try fresh things. I had visions of being  the President that killed Rotary in Mendocino. In planning the program, I asked Frank and Erich to give us a history of the birth of our club and also asked them if they would try to use their personal connections to get as many of our charter members there as possible. Frank was at first very reluctant, he was not sure that it would be interesting to the majority of the members, and he felt like perhaps some of the newer people should get involved. I literally begged him to do it. The evening went very well. Frank and Erich were funny and interesting and told the story of where we came from and all of the ways that Rotary had touched our community over the past several decades. They got Alvin Mendosa and many of our older members to attend and share their own memories. For me it was magical, as that night, we found out that we had more in common with each other and our community than we thought we did. I think that was an opportunity to really appreciate the wisdom and experience of our older members but also to appreciate the youth, technology and energy of our newest members.

Like all of you Rick and I loved Frank very much. Beverly is very much in our hearts and prayers.
LaDonna and Rick McDonald

On May 28, 2018, at 12:24 AM, jkk at mcn.org<mailto:jkk at mcn.org> wrote:

To All Rotarians:

It is with a sad heart on this Memorial Day weekend in 2018 to inform you
that Frank Engelhardt passed away on Friday May 25, 2018.  Frank joined
the Mendocino Rotary Club in January 1994, sponsored by Eric Schmid.  He
was a member for 24 years and was President of the club in its 1996/97
years.  He Was a Paul Harris Fellow +2 and was twice Rotarian of the Year.

Frank was born on January 2, 1927 and joined the Navy at age 17 in 1944.
He served in the Navy for 5 years. Following Discharge in attended the
University of Louisville in Pre-Law.  However he decided to join the U. S.
Air Force and became a decorated fighter pilot with over 100 combat
missions in Korea followed by two combat tours in Vietnam.  While there he
received the Medal of Honor First Class from the Republic of Vietnam Air
Force. He retired from the Air Force in 1975.  His email address reflects
his flying background.  It is angelbluff at wildblue.net<mailto:angelbluff at wildblue.net>.

He then worked for a Systems management firm in Arlington Virginia for 17
years.  He moved to the coast side in 1993 and immediately became an
active member of our community and a contributing member of the Mendocino
Rotary Club.  I am sure most of you have met and appreciated Frank's
contributions to the club.

His last residence was in Albion, where he lived with his wife Beverly.
He married Beverly on November 27, 1948.  They recently celebrated their
69th Wedding Anniversary.  They were blessed with 3 children, 2 boys,
Bruce and Carl and 1 daughter, Barbara.  They have a number of
grand-children and great-grandchildren.

Frank will be laid to rest with honors at the Arlington Memorial Cemetery
outside of Washington D.C.  A Memorial Service will be held on the coast
side at a time and place to be determined.

Beverly plans to continue living in the house, they built, in Albion on
Navarro Ridge Road.  Once family has left, I am sure she will enjoy any
and all Rotarian visitors.  Until that time, she and the family can use
your prayers.

  Sorrowfully,  Jerry

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