Frank H. Daniel

Frank H. Daniel, 53, of Richmond, passed away suddenly at his home on Wednesday, March 17, 2004. Frank was a man of wide and varied interests. He was an accomplished musician, starting his first band, The Trojans, in 1967 as a student at Bluestone High School in Mecklenburg, Va. He then attended Virginia Commonwealth University. Subsequent bands he helped form or played in were Big Naptar, X-Breed, Single Bullet Theory, Surrender Dorothy, Venus Envy and My Uncle's Old Army Buddies. At the time of his death, he was on the verge of taking his new group, Satin Doll, public. Frank was also well known to science fiction and horror model builders nationwide. He was a regular contributor to Amazing Figure Models, writing the magazines "Phantastic Plastic" column. His editor referred to him as "the Hunter S. Thompson of our industry," for his insightful reviews of new kits. He was recognized as one of the hobby's most talented kit painters. Through a business he called Grave New World, Frank offered his expert kit-building services to collectors. Frank was also an amateur entomologist, or "bug man", as he preferred to be called, who rendered insects as well as other subjects with skill and imagination. Frank was preceded in death by his mother, Dorothy Hicks Daniel; his father, W.C. "Pete" Daniel; and his grandparents. He is survived by his sister, Debbie Daniel, of Roanoke, Va.; stepmother, Doris Daniel, of Hurt, Va.; stepsister, Terry Dalton and husband, David, also of Hurt, Va.; and stepbrother, Troy Warner of Forest, Va. Frank is also survived by his aunt and uncle, Mr. and Mrs. Charles W. Finch, of Henderson, N.C.; girlfriend, Laura Gornto, of Richmond, Va.; his beloved cat, Weezil; and many devoted friends. A memorial service will be held at Bennett Funeral Home, 3215 Cutshaw Ave. on Saturday, March 27 at 2 p.m. Donations may be made to the Juvenile Diabetes Foundations, 3805 Cutshaw Ave., Richmond, Va. 23230, or the Hand Workshop Scholarship Fund, 1812 W. Main St., Richmond, Va. 23220