Tahlequah, OK – Funeral services for retired Tahlequah Fire Chief Robert Lee Frank, age 74, will be held at 1:00 PM on Friday, October 30, 2009 at the Tahlequah City Fire Department, 125 E Chickasaw Street. Interment will follow services at Molly Field Cemetery. Formal visitation will be on Thursday, October 28, 2009 from 6:00 PM to 8:00 PM at Hart Funeral Home. Services have been entrusted to the care of the Hart Funeral Home of Tahlequah.

Born January 7, 1935, to A.H. and Lula Mae (Napier) Frank, Robert passed this life on Tuesday, October 27. A lifelong resident of Cherokee County, he retired from the Tahlequah Fire Department in 1994, after 30 years of service. He was Tahlequah’s first Fire Chief to begin service as a volunteer Firefighter. He went on to serve as Captain, Driver and Assistant Chief, prior to his appointment as Fire Chief by former mayor, Dr. Jim Brixey.

He leaves behind to cherish his memory his wife of 54 years, Claudia Pat (Cunningham), and three sons Robert Jr. and his wife Cathy (Turk), Bart Frank and his wife Lori (Lamons) and Bo Patrick, all of Tahlequah; his sisters Lena Smetana, also of Tahlequah and Saletha Reed of Glencoe, Oklahoma.

He was preceded in death by his parents, three older brothers, Harold, Elmer “Bub” and Raymond, who served their country during World War II and his sister Doris Garner who was employed by Douglas Aircraft in Tulsa, Oklahoma, which was also important in our nation’s involvement during WW II.

Other survivors include grandsons, Robert Turk, Ryne Patrick and Barret (“Bear”), as well as grandson Kelly Henderson and granddaughter Brook Matlock, all of Tahlequah, three nephews and four nieces, as well other extended family.

Those wishing to make donations in his memory may consider the American Cancer Society.