Bernard "Frenchy" Uhalt Jr.

Bernard Uhalt Obituary

Bernard "Frenchy" Uhalt, Jr. April 27, 1910 - Sept. 3, 2004 Born April 27, 1910 in Bakersfield, CA, he was the son of French-Basque immigrants Benita Asnarez and Bernard Uhalt, Sr. from the Pyrenees, who settled in Bakersfield opening Uhalt's Blacksmith Shop on East 19th and Kern. Known as "Frenchy", he excelled in athletics from an early age. He was a tremendous football player at Kern County Union High (now the Bakersfield High "Drillers"). In 1927 he was the star running back taking the Drillers to the California State Prep Championship, beating Fullerton 38-0. His coach, Dwight "Goldie" Griffith, once said he was the "best back back I'd ever coached in over 40 years". Frenchy was offered football scholarships to such schools as USC, Notre Dame, St. Mary's, Fordham and UCSF, but turned them all down for the life of a baseball player, thinking he'd physically last longer in baseball than football. His professional baseball career started when the Pacific Coast League's Oakland Oaks drafted him in 1928. He was an outfielder with tremendous speed. He played with the PCL's Oakland Oaks, Hollywood Stars and San Francisco Seals. In 1934 the Chicago White Sox purchased him where he wore jersey number 36. After the 1934 season, he was sold back to the Oaks. He was bought and sold many times; the New York Yankees and Milwaukee Brewers each owned him at one time, but he returned to the PCL and finished off his career there. He was with the San Francisco Seals in the 1946 season when they were the PCL champs. When Gilmore Field opened in 1939 he won a pair of shoes, a hat and two shirts for getting the first hit, first double, first steal and first run. His 20-year career included a batting average of .332 and 2,798 hits all-time in the PCL. He was inducted in the Bob Elias Hall of Fame in 1973, the Bay Area Hall of Fame and the Pacific Coast League Hall of Fame. After retiring from baseball as a player, he stared managing. His first managing job took him to the Fresno Cardinals, where in his first inactive season as a player since 1928 they stayed in the first place almost from the opening gun. After retiring from managing, he eventually settled in Oakland with his wife, Virginia, and their only child, Suzanne Karen. He lived a quiet life of golf, playing with his grandkids, helping to coach his grandson, Marc's, Little League Teams, (who, like his grandfather, was a tremendous baseball player being looked at while still in high school by the pros), and never missed a sporting event, whether it was soccer, swimming, baseball or track, of his granddaughter, Paulette. His later years were also filled with pain. His only child, Suzanne Karen, died of breast cancer at the age of 50 in 1989 and his home of 40+ years in Oakland was lost during the fires of 1991. He and Virginia moved to Rossmoor in Walnut Creek, CA after the fire and spent the remainder of their lives there. Virginia preceded Frenchy in death, dying peacefully at home in February of 2003 and Frenchy's passing was also peaceful, at home with Paulette holding his hand as he took his last breath. At his request, there will be no public service. Frenchy was a private man who took great care of his family and cherished his grandchildren and great-grandchildren. He is survived by son-in-law, Fred William Vinson of Kekaha, HI, grandchildren, Marc Stephen (Wendy) Vinson of Fair Oaks, CA and Paulette Benita (Clay) Fry of Lafayette, CA, and great-grandchildren, Courtney Suzanne Vinson of Fair Oaks, CA, Williams Clay Fry and Giovanna Suzanne Fry of Lafayette, CA. He is also survived by nieces, Paulette Bruce Miller of Sacramento, CA and Joanne Sevilla of Ketchum, ID, and nephews, Gary (Jane) Uhalt of Bakersfield, CA and Steve (Kay) Uhalt of Bakersfield, CA. The family is requesting donations be made in his name to the Bernard "Frenchy" Uhalt Memorial Scholarship Fund in care of: Bakersfield High School, attn: Annie Elrod, 1241 G Street, Bakersfield, CA 93301.

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Published by Contra Costa Times from Sep. 26 to Oct. 3, 2004.

Memories and Condolences
for Bernard Uhalt

3 Entries

Evangeline Clendenning

October 14, 2004

Bernie was a great guy. He was a gentle soul and has a caring heart. He will always give everything he had just to help a person in need. All through his years, he said he never once asked for anything from anybody. He always tried to please everybody and tried not to be a burdened to anyone. He had never lost his zest for life. He once told me he wanted to learn new things like computers and how to use the cell phone. Sometimes, I don't think he had dementia. He also said he doesn't feel old, he just need a new body.

Evangeline Clendenning

October 14, 2004

Bernie was a great guy. He was a gentle soul and had a caring heart. He will always give everything he had just to help a person in need. All through his years, he said he never once asked for anything from anybody. He always tried to please everybody and tried not to be a burdened to anyone. He had never lost his zest for life. He once told me he wanted to learn new things like computers and how to use the cell phone. Sometimes, I don't think he had dementia. He also said he doesn't feel old, he just need a new body.

Bob Valli

October 2, 2004

Growing up in San Francisco, I was a fan of Bernie Uhalt and often watced chase down flyballs at Seals Stadium. Although we never met, I always had him high on my list of sports heroes. Later in life, I became sports editor of the Oakland Tribune and often attended annual reunions of PCL players at Oakland Museum. I wondered what happened to Frenchy. From the obit, I now know he had a long and good life with a wonderful wife, family and, especially, grand kids. My sympathy goes out to remaining relatives.

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