Frank Bogert Obituary

From the Associated Press Frank Bogert PALM SPRINGS, Calif. (AP) — Frank Bogert, the former cowboy mayor of Palm Springs who promoted the Coachella Valley desert as a movie star playground, has died. He was 99. Bogert had been hospitalized recently for various problems and the cause of his death Sunday had not yet been determined, Bogert's grandson Frank "Pancho" Russell told The Desert Sun newspaper. Bogert served two terms as Palm Springs mayor from 1958 to 1966, then again in 1982 for a pair of two-year terms. The former rodeo performer and announcer came to Palm Springs in 1927 and rented horses to tourists in the desert oasis known as a bucolic winter getaway for riding and hiking. Bogert's riding partners included Roy Rogers, Gene Autry, Richard Farnsworth and Will Rogers. He was also friends with Lucille Ball, Walt Disney and Jackie Cooper. Celebrities began staying in town when the El Mirador Hotel opened in 1927 and the city became famous as a movie star retreat when Charlie Farrell and Ralph Bellamy opened the Racquet Club seven years later. Bogert and fellow El Mirador publicist Tony Burke took pictures of stars in bathing suits and short pants and sent them to newspapers around the world to secure Palm Springs' reputation as a movie star resort. Bogert wrote "Palm Springs: First Hundred Years." Autry dedicated a bronze statue of Bogert on horseback in front of Palm Springs City Hall in 1990. For more stories and photo galleries, go to mydesert.com/bogert.

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

Published by The Desert Sun from Mar. 27 to Apr. 1, 2009.

Memories and Condolences
for Frank Bogert

15 Entries

Claudia Hodari

December 24, 2017

Argentina loved this cowboy mayor, more accurately this gentleman, Frank Bogert- was honored to be his entire entourage host in a 1992 at Estancia la Centaura de San Jose in Lima, Province Buenos Aires, Argentina. RIP https://m.youtube.com/watch?t=476s&v=FMHZPwL5M2E

CLAUDIA HODARI

December 24, 2017

https://m.youtube.com/watch?t=476s&v=FMHZPwL5M2E

Please enjoy this interview with Frank Bogert at Estancia la Centaura de San Jose in Buenos Aires province, Argentina from 1992 as much as we enjoyed having this warm gentleman and his cow folks visit Jeff and I. Interview by Eduardo Carpio of Deportes y Tiempo Libre TV show.

April 15, 2009

UNDER YOUR LEADERSHIP OF PALM SPRINGS THERE WOULD NOT BE AN EMPTY DESERT MALL AND A DESERTED AND DELAPIDATED DOWN-TOWN. HOPE YOU ARE NOT TURNING IN YOUR GRAVE, SO SORRY FOR THE MESS IN CITY GOVERNMENT THESE DAYS, NO CHANGE AND NO IMPROVEMENTS,
KLAUS VON HAVEN
MOVED FROM PALM SPRINGS IN 2008

Sandi Jackson

April 8, 2009

Donna and I went to school together and I lived in their home for a while as a teenager. Donna and I became close friends, Frank treated me as one of the family. In later years, I married and my husband and I would grow tomatoes and send them to Donna. But Frank had a habit of raiding them, so when I called he always wanted to know when the next batch was getting there. Frank was very dear to me and was truly my other Dad. I will miss him. Our sympathy to all his family and God Bless.

Kingston Cole

April 6, 2009

I grew up off and on in Palm Springs, from the early 1950's. Went to high school with one of Frank's daughters. Left, but kept track in bits and pieces for 20 or 30 years. Then, I was fortunate enough to remember where I came from, and began re-newing friendships. It started with Ray and Blakesie Corliss in the '90's, which, of course, included Frank. As Mark Twain once said, what a difference a few years make! He was even more charming and entertaining in his 80's and 90's. The Creator went out of his way on Frank...RIP.

Kingston Cole

Dorothy Bissell-Cox

April 2, 2009

Frank and I were friends since the 1930's when I worked for Desmonds and hung-out with Frank around the El Mirador pool and we went on many horesback rides. He'll be missed by many - including me.

Victoria Gaede

March 29, 2009

"It was the God-Damnedest thing I ever did see" Those words are in my head when I think of Frank. He became my friend years ago. Loved Frank right off the bat. And his wife..charming and sweet. He was so stubborn when it came to taking advise. But I have to admit he did know himself very well. His spirit will forever be cast in this area of the world. He leaves behind a permenent bootprint in the desert. I'll miss you, you old coot!

Gloria Becker-Shaver

March 28, 2009

Met Frank 60 years ago... Loved and respected him ever since.... Gloria Becker Shaver. We will miss him, Gloria and Jim Shaver

Patricia Smith

March 28, 2009

I arrived in PS in 1978 and Frank and Negie were two of the first people I met through a mutual friend. Frank gave us full access to his tack room and horse so my young girls could ride because we had left our horses in Canada. I worked closely with him for a few years and his humor and friendship will always be remembered. When my son-in-law died unexpectantly in 1997, Frank phoned me and was so supportive, because that's just who he was. I hadn't seen Frank for the last few years but he was still close in my heart. Negie is a gentle and kind soul, and my heart goes out to her for I am certain she will always miss her man, as we all will. Much love and prayers to the whole family......Pat Smith

Larry Sitter

March 28, 2009

A great man and friend.
My thoughts are with the family

Luciano Ramirez

March 28, 2009

Here was a man, who was bigger than life, who took the time to schedule several book signings at our small bookstore in Palm Springs. He would sign his book and tell his stories as long as there were people around to listen. He would come into our bookstore with his family and look for books on "charros" or "vaqueros" or other books on Mexican culture. He was always telling friends about our bookstore. Our sympathy to his family.

Mary Sue Carlisle

March 27, 2009

Just want to extend my sympathy to Donna and the rest of her family.He was like a second father to me as he was to a great many of her other friends. He taught me much that I know about horses,we were always at the stables. He will me sorely missed, but never forgotten.I am blessed to have known him.

Don & Isabel Leveille

March 27, 2009

It was a real pleasure to have gotten to know Frank and Negie, they have always treated us as friends, from the moment that we met them. We always looked forward to seeing them when we came to the desert to get away from our winter. Our thoughts and prayers go to the family during these days of re-adjusting without Frank around. What an exciting life Frank lived. We could all be so lucky.

Gwen Harlow

March 27, 2009

My sympathy is extended to all the family and friends of Frank Bogert.He loved Palm Springs and served the City well. He was always so cheerful. My late husband, Mayor Roger Harlow of Indio CA. and I attended many functions where Mayor Bogert was present.
We all have many cherished memories of his life. Blessings to all.

Marie Calderon

March 27, 2009

I went to school with Donna and just wanted to let her know how sorry I was to hear of the passing of her father. Growing up in Palm Springs you always heard the name Frank Bogert. He will truly be missed but left a great legacy and will never be forgotten. With my deepest sympathy to Donna and her whole family.

Marie (Santa Cruz) Calderon

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