ALAN FRANK

Alan F. Frank 1926 ~ 2011 Alan F. Frank, loving husband and father, proud grandfather, pioneering advertising executive, accomplished jazz musician, generous philanthropist, avid golfer, smart rummy, pilot, and funny and engaging friend, passed away on May 6, 2011. He lived a long and remarkably full life and will be forever remembered by his family and friends. Born in Salt Lake City on September 29, 1926 to Harry and Lillie Frank, Alan attended East High School, where he played violin in the symphony orchestra, sang in the acapella choir, and acted in many school plays-early training for a lifetime of accomplishment in musical entertainment. Alan was a proud member of the East High Class of 1943, whose sixty year reunion he organized in 2003. After graduation, at the age of seventeen, Alan enlisted in the United States Navy, where he was first stationed in Chicago, Illinois. There he met the legendary band leader Alvino Rey, who invited Alan to sing with the Big Band Orchestra he had organized to entertain American troops during the final years of the Second World War. Alan performed first with Alvino Rey's Big Band in Chicago, alongside such famous acts as the King Sisters, and later with other bands when stationed in Corpus Christi, Texas and Honolulu, Hawaii. Alan also worked during this time as a disk jockey on Armed Forced Radio. Alan returned to Salt Lake City in 1946 and enrolled at the University of Utah, where he majored in music. He continued to play in jazz bands-now on piano-and to work as a radio disk jockey on evenings and weekends. After graduating from the University of Utah in 1948, Alan was hired as the first television announcer at KDYL-TV NBC Channel 4, where he also ran the weekly variety show "Alan's Alley," performing and interviewing such touring luminaries as Nat King Cole, Stan Kenton, Count Basie, and many others. In 1954 Alan joined KUTV as its first program director, and the following year he partnered with his friend Bob Thomas to create Frank and Thomas Advertising. The agency's first client was Pete Harman, who at the time ran Harman's Cafe and would soon partner with Colonel Sanders to create Kentucky Fried Chicken. With Pete Harman's support, the agency-which eventually became Alan Frank & Associates-helped develop the local and national advertising strategies for the rapidly growing franchises of KFC. It was a relationship that flourished for over 50 years. Alan energetically led the agency, and oversaw its expansion into markets from San Francisco to New York City, until 1996. He retired in 2006 at the age of 80. Over these years Alan was also an engaged participant in the civic life of Salt Lake City, an active member of the Kiwanis Club, and a tireless booster for the University of Utah: he was a founding member of the University's Crimson Club and for many years drove a red and white Cadillac with University of Utah plates. He also continued to play music, most notably with a jazz quartet he formed with his wife Beverly ("The Beverly Brothers"), with whom he played many private and public events and a long-running weekly performance at Salt Lake's Manhattan Club. His funny stage banter, agile piano playing, and beautifully clear singing voice, will be remembered by his many friends and fans. With all of these accomplishments, Alan will be missed most by his family as a loving and supportive husband, father, and grandfather. He spent countless hours cheering little league baseball, soccer, and especially football games, travelling the world with his family, and freely offering the strength of his character and the wisdom of his experience. We will miss him more than words can tell. Alan is preceded in death by his parents, his brother Jules, and his daughter Patricia Frank. He is survived by his brother Robert, and three daughters from previous marriages: Susan Boswell (married to Todd Boswell), Julie Frank, and Gloria Frank. He is also survived by Susan's children Chandee Bond, Sam Bates, and Michael Boswell, and Julie's daughter Micah Morrison. Alan's wife Beverly, with whom he has been married for 41 years, survives him with three children: Susan Dahlstrom, Jason Frank, John Frank, and John's wife Melissa Frank. He is also survived by Susan's children Ally Marie Dahlstrom, Michael Dahlstrom, and Jack Dahlstrom, as well as John and Melissa's children Jackson Frank, Johnny Frank, and Samantha Frank. A private family graveside service will be held at the Salt Lake City Cemetery. There will be a public memorial and celebration of Alan's life at the Salt Lake Country Club on Tuesday, May, 10th, from 3:00-5:00 (2400 Country Club Drive).