Franklin Michaels

Franklin Michaels, 94, died peacefully in Duluth, on Monday, April 10, 2017, two months and a day after the death of his beloved wife, Jean. Frank was born in Brooklyn, N.Y., on July 23, 1922, to Michael and Irene Michaels.

After completing his sophomore year at the University of Pennsylvania, he felt compelled to suspend his education to join the U.S. Army and contribute to the fight against Hitler. Unfortunately, the U.S. Army was not interested in him, due to his flat feet and poor vision.

His strong motivation to help the cause led him, along with his brother, Bob, to present to the Canadian Army. They were accepted and swore their allegiance to the King of England, and were assigned to the British 8th Army. His service took him to Sicily where he was initially in the Signal Corps (sending and receiving Morse code), and later he was the operator of a Bren Gun Carrier.

Following the end of WWII, he returned to the University of Pennsylvania and completed his bachelor's degree. He then earned his law degree from Yale Law School.

Frank met Jean Rynearson, of Rochester, Minn., in 1951 when she lived in New York and they met for a blind date. He fell "madly in love with Jeannie," and they married in 1952.

After practicing law in Bridgeport, Conn., for a year, they moved to Rochester to be near Jean's parents, Edward and Lida Rynearson. Frank practiced law in Rochester, for nearly 50 years. He was the attorney for the Rochester Township for 50 years, and served on the Rochester School Board for over 20 years. He was passionate for keeping music and the arts a part of the curriculum for Rochester students. He served as the president of the Rochester Art Center and the Rochester Community Concert Series. Gov. Wendell Anderson appointed him to the Governors Commission for the Arts in 1975. He served on the board of Minnesota Public Radio for 11 years in the early days of MPR.

Until his final years, Frank rarely sat down. Jean said that the only time that he sat down and relaxed was when he was in a fishing boat or canoe, with a rod and reel in his hand. He also enjoyed attending matinee productions with Jean at the Guthrie where they were season ticket holders for decades.

Frank and Jean moved from Rochester to Duluth in 2012. They lived at The Pines III and Diamond Willow - Lester River. Frank referred to his caregivers as "my angels" and was always generous with praise and appreciation.

Frank was preceded in death by his parents; his wife of 64 years, Jean; infant daughter, Katherine Lida; and his brother, Robert.

He is survived by his children, Mike (Connie), Ed (Jill), Kit (Diane), and Annie (Jeff); and AFS daughter, Mou; his grandchildren, Matthew, Nathaniel, Gavin, Gabriel and Peter Michaels, and Gabriel, Heather, Tristan and Krista Leusman; and great-grandchild, Peter Franklin Michaels.

Frank has donated his body to the University of Minnesota Anatomy Bequest Program.

A memorial service for Frank and Jean will be held on June 25 in Rochester with details to follow.