Frank Jerome Lampe

Frank Jerome Lampe, 101, passed away peacefully on Friday, August 29, 2025, at Brookdale Trillium Crossing in Columbus, Ohio. Frank was an only child, born on March 28th, 1924, in Cleveland, Ohio, to Frank and Agnes (Kelly) Lampe. Frank served in the Army Air Force in World War II, serving in the 308th Bomb Group, 374th Bombardment Squadron, as a Second Lieutenant in China, India, and Burma. After the war, he continued to fly in the Ohio Air National Guard for a time. Frank rarely talked about his experiences during the war, but his experiences during that time deeply informed his sense of duty, dedication, discipline, righteousness, and decency, and he modeled those traits throughout his life. He met the love of his life, Mary Louise Frank, at a veterans' dance in Cleveland. They married on September 11, 1948, and raised a family of five. The family moved to Worthington, Ohio, in September 1969, where Frank and Mary Lou were active in their church, St. Michael the Archangel, in Worthington. Frank attended Case Western Reserve and is a graduate of John Carroll University, after which he pursued a career in Food Service Management. While serving as plant manager at Stouffer's, he helped bring to market several recipes, many of which are still sold today. He also set up the first Kroger "superstore" delicatessens, which are ubiquitous in stores today. Frank always had the mind of an engineer and excelled in math and logic. He was regularly found in his workshop or garage, building and repairing things, including rebuilding several car engines. He was frugal and thrifty, always seeking ways to repair instead of replacing. After they retired, he and Mary Lou travelled cross-country several times in a Chevy passenger van that he converted into an RV. He was an avid bicyclist and golfer; he exercised his entire life. He studied Catholic philosophy and history and maintained an interest in aviation and airplanes. He enjoyed going to air shows, and he collected books and taped historical documentaries about aircraft. Frank and Mary Lou loved dancing together, and would float together across the dance floor at weddings. They enjoyed entertaining. Visitors were always welcome, often including meals and robust conversations- and if they were lucky, some of Frank's legendary waffles. Holidays at their house often included neighbors dropping in to share drinks and revelry. Frank was a fan, scholar, and collector of big band jazz music from the thirties and forties, and regularly performed as a DJ until just before his 101st birthday. He had a sharp sense of humor and enjoyed clever puns and "dad jokes." He was lucid into his last days, and continued to voice his opinion on how things should be done. Frank was preceded in death by his wife Mary Louise (Frank), daughter-in-law Erica (Koppes), cousins Janis Berry and Joan Kelly, and many Frank family brothers- and sisters-in-law. He is survived by his children Frank (Monica), Bruce (Paula), Druscilla Pritchard (Rodney), Mark (Mary Lynne), Patrice Shawhan (Brad); grandchildren Alex, Lauren, Megan, Celia, Taylor, and Ryan. A memorial service, including a military funeral honors ceremony and committal service, will be held, the date and location yet to be determined. Our family would like to extend our deep appreciation to the wonderful staff at Brookdale at Trillium Crossing, and the friends he made there. Godspeed, Frank. May the road rise to meet you; may the wind always be at your back.