Frank Altimore

Frank Altimore
Frank Altimore, 81, of Midland, passed away on July 29 at home, with his family at his side, following declining health. He was born on July 10, 1944 in Johnstown, PA and grew up in Pittsburgh. He was the oldest of three sons born to William and Pauline Altimore. Frank attended Pittsburgh Central Catholic High School, where he was an all-state running back.
Frank was recruited by Coach Duffy Dougherty to attend Michigan State, as a running back and a highlight of his college years was MSU's 1966 Rose Bowl, following their 1965 National Championship season. Upon completion of his master's degree in 1967, he began a long teaching and coaching career with the Midland Public Schools. Frank first taught Social Studies and coached baseball at Midland High, winning two state championships in 1973 and 1982, and was named Michigan's baseball Coach of the Year in 1973. Frank was also an assistant football coach at Midland High for 16 years.
In 1983, he became the head football coach at Dow High School, a position he held for the next 20 years. In 1997, his Dow High football team made it to the MHSAA State Finals at the Silverdome. Earlier that year, Frank also began coaching Dow's Girls' Golf Team, winning numerous Saginaw Valley League championships.
Frank retired from teaching in 2003. Throughout his career, he was inducted into the Michigan H.S. Coaches Hall of Fame, Michigan H.S. Football Coaches Hall of Fame, Midland County Hall of Fame, Midland High Hall of Fame, and Dow High Hall of Fame. In 2024 Frank and his MSU teammates were inducted into the Michigan State University Hall of Fame for winning back-to-back national championships in 1965 and 1966.
One of his most meaningful teaching experiences was to be part of a Humanities team at Dow that taught American history, art, music, and literature in a two-hour block. The four participating teachers learned from each other, and the integrated approach was popular with students.
In retirement, Frank coached young golfers in a summer program sponsored by Currie Golf Course, and Frank and Connie enjoyed spending their winter months in Port St. Lucie, FL.
Frank was always proud of being from Western Pennsylvania and of his Italian heritage. When not teaching or coaching, he could often be found in the kitchen, making homemade pasta sauce, tweaking recipes, and preparing large-scale dishes because of his family's restaurant background. He made sure to leave both sons a collection of their favorite recipes.
As a former player and coach, Frank loved the sports world and enjoyed watching games in retirement – especially football, baseball, and golf –and stayed loyal to his native Steelers, his hometown Tigers, and his fellow Spartans.
Frank was grateful for the opportunity to spend his adult life and career in Midland and appreciated the opportunity to work with so many wonderful colleagues, students, and athletes from his Charger and Chemic teams. He valued his fellow Saginaw Valley League coaches as both competitors and good friends. More than anything, Frank loved his immediate and extended family.
Frank is survived by his wife of 52 years, Connie Collins Altimore; his two sons, Tony Altimore, of Port St. Lucie, FL, and Greg Altimore (Melinda) of Brighton, MI; and brothers, Bill Altimore (Patty) of Lansing, MI, and Rick Altimore (Nancy) of Sunrise, FL. Frank will also be dearly missed by brother-in-law, Terry Collins (Debbie); sisters-in-law, Peggy Titsworth (Chuck), and Sheri Prince (Dan); as well as many cousins, nieces and nephews.
Cremation has taken place, and a private memorial service for family will be held at a future date. In Frank's memory, consider a donation to the Dow High or Midland High sports boosters' clubs. End of life arrangements are with Ware-Smith Woolever (wswfh.com), where one can leave condolences or share a memory.