Frank Ward

Frank R. Ward VIRGINIA BEACH - "Behold I show you a mystery; we shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed in a moment, in a twinkling of an eye." Frank heard the call and returned to God, Jan. 1, 2011 at Westport Rehabilitation Center in Richmond, Va. We start the new year on a note of renewal, just as Dad would have it. Born in Brooklyn, N.Y., April 16, 1917 to the late Willard and Mae Ward, he grew up in New York and Miami Beach, Fla. Frank was an Eagle Scout and was acknowledged by President Woodrow Wilson. He graduated from the University of Florida with a B.S. and Columbia University, with a M.S. in chemical engineering. He went on to work on the Manhattan Project in Oak Ridge, Tenn., and the discovery of nylon at Dupont. In 1956, Frank left the Atomic Energy Commission in Washington, D.C., and moved his family to Lynchburg, Va., where he worked for Babcock and Wilcox and then retired with Kavanaugh Industries in Virginia Beach. His many interests included golf, horse racing and baseball with the Baltimore Orioles being his favorite team. He was a member of the Norfolk and Virginia Beach Sports Club and the Day Lily Society. He loved his flowers. Frank is survived by his wife of 64 years, Joan Ward of Virginia Beach; his son and wife Chris and Laurie Ward of Richmond and daughter and husband, Debbie and Rob Roberson of Virginia Beach. Surviving grandchildren are, Megan, Colin, Sean Roberson and wife Kay, Amy Culicerto, Jennie Ward of Virginia Beach, Evan Berry of Richmond and Tara Fudge of Atlanta and his great-grandchildren, Camille, Seamus and Charlotte Roberson, and June Culicerto. He was predeceased by his daughter, Sandy Ward in 2006. A memorial service will be held today, Jan. 8, at the Eastern Shore Chapel in Virginia Beach at 3 p.m. In lieu of flowers, a donation can be made to the Macular Degeneration Foundation, Box 531313 Henderson, NV 89053. Visitors are welcome following the memorial service at the home of Robert and Debbie Roberson.