Richard Franz III

1919 - 2011

Richard J. Franz

1919?2011

Richard John "Dick" Franz III, 91, dies February 6, 2011. Mr. Franz was born September 8, 1919 at Newark, NJ, the first child of Richard J. Franz, Jr. and Hazel I. (Smith) Franz. He grew up in Massachusetts and attended schools in Medford and Melrose, MA. In 1939 he received a BS in Chemical Engineering from Tufts University then attended Harvard Law School for one year. In 1940 he joined the US Naval Reserve and was on active duty during WWII where he served two tours of duty in the European Theater. Dick qualified as a Mine Disposal Officer and Deep-Sea (Hard hat) diver and was part of the technical investigation of German military and civilian personnel. He remained in the US Naval Reserve, later retiring as Captain.

Dick was employed in 1946 by the American Cyanamid Co. as an engineer and worked at locations in Bound Brook, NJ and Pace, FL, in a variety of engineering and management positions. After retirement from Cyanamid in 1984 he was a consultant on the design of a major acrylic fiber manufacturing facility in China. He was a 50-year member of the American Institute of Chemical Engineers.

Dick enjoyed golf, sailing, reading, choral singing and puzzle-solving. He was a member, Sunday School teacher, Deacon and Elder of Trinity Presbyterian Church. He served as Chairman of the Church Building Council during the building of the church's Sanctuary. He was a member of the US Naval Explosive Ordinance Disposal Association, a volunteer tutor at Pensacola State College, a director emeritus of United Cerebral Palsy of NW FL, Past President of UCP of FL and a Director of UCP NW FL Foundation.

He is survived by his wife, Muriel Jeanne Uden Franz, a son, John Douglas (Kathleen) Franz, and a daughter, Marcia Baker, both of Pensacola. He is also survived by his sister Laura (Richard) Eagan, Plymouth, MA and sister-in-law Joan Franz, wife of his late brother, Robert K. Franz, Hamburg, ME and several nieces and nephews.

A memorial service will be held at Trinity Presbyterian Church on Friday, February 11, 2011 at 11:30AM.

In lieu of flowers memorial contributions may be made to United Cerebral Palsy of NW FL, 2912 N. "E" St., Pensacola, FL 32501 or Trinity Presbyterian Church, 3400 Bayou Blvd., Pensacola, FL 32503.

HARPER-MORRIS MEMORIAL CHAPEL is in charge of arrangements.



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