David K. Frank 1948-2024

David was born Dec. 25, 1948, in Piqua. He was the son of the late Mary J. Frank, an elementary school teacher who was nominated as the outstanding teacher in America, and the late Darrell K. Frank Sr., an Alaskan pioneer and businessman, who founded a chain of grocery stores in Alaska.

David grew up in a small farming community in Miami County and graduated from Covington High School in 1967. He chose to attend Miami University in Oxford, Ohio, on scholarship, where he studied political science, served on the student senate, and received various academic honors and awards, including the Howard White Award in political science. He graduated Phi Beta Kappa from Miami University in 1971.

David then studied law and public administration at The Ohio State University in Columbus, and graduated with a master’s degree in public administration in 1973 and a Juris Doctor Degree in 1974. During law school, David also participated in the United States Air Force Reserve Officer Training Program and was a distinguished military graduate of that program.

Following his graduation from law school, David served as a legal officer with the Strategic Air Command of the United States Air Force. After completing his active duty obligation during the Vietnam War, he continued to serve in the Air Force Reserve, including during Operation Desert Storm. He served many years as the staff judge advocate of the 910th Airlift Wing in Vienna, with various assignments in Washington, D.C., Charleston, South Carolina, (and other bases), and at Third Air Force Headquarters at Royal Air Force Base Mildenhall in Suffolk, England. David retired from the Air Force with the rank of lieutenant colonel, after more than 23 years of distinguished military service to his country, and received various awards and decorations, including the Meritorious Service Medal.

Aside from his military service, David also practiced law with a number of law firms in Columbus and served in various governmental positions, including service as chairman of a state board. During his civilian legal career, he represented individuals and small and large companies in complex litigation matters, including the prosecution and defense of class action cases in state and federal courts, and in appellate litigation before the United States Supreme Court and the Ohio Supreme Court. He was truly a “lawyer’s lawyer,” and in addition to complex litigation, regularly defended lawyers and other professionals in cases involving licensing and disciplinary issues. His efforts in defending another Ohio lawyer resulted in a landmark decision by the United States Supreme Court concerning the First Amendment and commercial speech. David especially enjoyed mentoring the next generation of attorneys. He retired as a senior partner with the law firm of Mazanec, Raskin & Ryder Co., L.P.A., having served for a time as the administrative / managing partner of its Columbus office.

David Frank was a true American patriot, who cared greatly about this country and the American Constitution, and the many veterans who served in the American armed forces. In celebration and recognition of the hundreds of servicemen from his home town of Covington who served during World War I, David did extensive research for, designed and was instrumental in the erection of a large monument in their honor in Highland Cemetery in Covington on the 100th anniversary of the end of that conflict.

David was a man of deep faith and loved people. He always had a story to tell. David was also a history scholar who cherished the United States. He will also be remembered for his unlimited kindness, tremendous sense of humor and love of art and music. Despite his busy schedule, David always had time for his beloved wife, family and friends, and for helping others.

David is survived by Elizabeth Frank, his beloved and loving wife of many years, who was the love of his life, and many dear friends throughout the United States. He is sorely missed by his wife and all who knew him.

Visitation will be 4 to 7 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 14, 2024, with a vigil service at 6 p.m., at the Schoedinger Worthington Chapel, 6699 N. High St., Worthington.

A funeral service and celebration of David’s life will be 10 a.m. Friday, Nov. 15, 2024, at St. Joseph Cathedral, 212 E. Broad St., Columbus, with burial to follow in Resurrection Cemetery, 9571 N. High St., Lewis Center.

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