Frank C. Guenther

Frank C. Guenther, DPM, age 88 of Glen Ellyn since 1956, died Saturday, Nov. 29, 2008 at the DuPage Convalescent Center in Wheaton. He was born Aug. 12, 1920 in LaCrosse, WI and a 1939 graduate of Central High School. He was a football and boxing star, twice a Golden Glove Champion of Wisconsin in1938 & 1939, where he was known by the nickname of "Bootsie". He played guard football at the University of Idaho, worked in the mines at Kellogg, ID, was a defense worker at Wake Island (Pacific), and then settled in Seattle, WA working for Boeing Aircraft. In 1940 he won the middleweight title in the Pacific Coast Golden Gloves in Seattle and Hollywood, and then won again in 1942 as a light heavyweight in Seattle. While a defense worker, Frank made his boxing debut into the professional ring in 1942, and was called "Frankie" a "Battling Boeing Bomber" by sports writers. By 1941 he had 60 bouts since 1938.He trained in the Wisconsin National Guard at Camp McCoy until 1940 and was a veteran of WWII, serving as a US Navy Hospital Corpsman at Great Lakes. From Sept. 1, 1942 to Nov. 17, 1945. He married his wife, Anne, in Oct. 1943. Under the G.I. Bill he earned his Doctor of Podiatric Medicine degree in 1949 in Chicago. He was in private practice in North Chicago and was a Staff Podiatrist at the Veteran's Hospital in Downey, IL until 1956. The hospital work led to an interest in pharmaceuticals and he and Anne moved to Glen Ellyn in 1956. For the next few years he detailed doctors and medical professionals in DuPage County for Giegy, Wyeth Laboratories and Chas. Pfizer companies as a pharmaceutical representative. He worked for Villa Medical Arts 1958-1960 and was on the staff of the Dreyer Medical Clinic in Aurora from 1968-71. He built a home-office in 1959. Dr. Guenther retired to part-time practice in 1983 after recovering from a heart attack, in which he saved himself in the middle of the night, giving himself oxygen and phoning the ambulance who got to the hospital emergency room in time. Frank is survived by his beloved wife, Anne; loving children, Daniel (Cheryl) of Morrison, CO and James (Josephine) of Wheaton; dear grandchildren, Ingrid (David) Scott of Denver, CO, Greta (Thomas) Gautreaux of Fountain, CO, Monica (Jason) Bowles of Denver, CO, Grant Guenther of South Elgin, IL and twins, Adam & Tyler Guenther of Wheaton; great-grandchildren, Lisa, Daniel and

Hayley all of Colorado; he was the fond brother of William (Sandy) Guenther of Big Lake, MN, Connie (the late Richard)

Peterson of Mount Horeb, WI and Ruth (Mike) Butera of Phoenix, AZ. Also survived by many nieces, nephews, cousins and extended families. Frank was preceded by his parents Frank and Lillian Guenther, brothers James, Dr. Robert (Marilyn) and Donald (Holly) Guenther. Memorial visitation Friday, Dec. 12, 2008 9 a.m. until time of memorial service 11 a.m. at the LeonardMemorial Home, 565 Duane St., Glen Ellyn. The Wheaton American Legion Post #76 will officiate. Private inurnment is planned for a later date at St. Michael's Cemetery in Wheaton. In lieu of flowers, the Guenther family would appreciate a note or card expressing a fond memory you may have of Frank. Funeral info: 630-469-0032.