Harry Richard Frantz

1934 - 2017

Dick Frantz, a 43 year resident of Riverside, passed away peacefully on July 30, 2017 at the age of 83 with family by his side.
Dick was dearly loved by his wife: Miriam (Mim), daughters: Yvonne Besvold, Jeannine Sabel, and Brenda Simril, grandchildren: Elke Besvold, Nils Besvold, and Paola Sabel, and son-in-laws: Chris Besvold, Brian Sabel, and Lee Simril. He is survived by his sister, Rita Landis, and many nieces and nephews in Pennsylvania. Dick and Mim had 59 wonderful years of marriage.
Dick, known as "Sonny", grew up in Souderton, Pennsylvania. He excelled at sports – holding numerous track records, playing football as the quarterback, basketball, and the drums in the high school band. He graduated from Gettysburg College where he majored in Business Administration, was a member of the Lambda Chi Alpha fraternity, played the drums in the band, and was a member of the ROTC.
After graduating from college, Dick joined the Air Force and was a navigator and strategic planner. He spent 22 years flying missions around the world, working for the Strategic Air Command and the 15th Air Force headquarters, finally retiring as a Lieutenant Colonel. After his retirement from the Air Force, Dick had a second career, for 20 years, with Logicon, a division of Northrop Grumman, in aerospace management. He worked on defense information technology programs including training simulation.
Dick always had a love for sports, especially ones involving motors and speed. Over the years he raced cars and boats. He was an accomplished athlete: from water skiing, snow skiing, snowmobiling, softball, skateboarding, biking, motorcycling, roller skating . . . you name it! He was also an avid collector and loved restoring antique cars. He was a devoted council member of Trinity Lutheran Church in Riverside, among many other volunteer leadership activities over the years. Dick and Mim became excellent ballroom dancers. They spent much of their time with family, in the snow, at their Big Bear cabin. They really enjoyed traveling the world over the years. We remember Dick for his love of family, fun, friends, faith and service.
Dick's favorite quote: "You live more in 5 minutes on a bike like this going flat out than some people live in a lifetime" – Burt Munro, motorcycle racing legend.
A reception and service will be held at Altavita Village Chapel (formerly Air Force Village West) in Riverside, CA, on Wednesday, August 9, 2017, at 10:00am. The military honors ceremony will follow at 12:45pm at the Riverside National Cemetery - staging area #4.
In lieu of flowers, the family asks for donations to be made to the Parkinson's Research Foundation. Condolences and memories can be shared on-line thru Acheson & Graham.