Frank John Meitz

FRANK JOHN MEITZ
Kalamazoo, MI Eldest of eight children, Fred, Manfred, Conrad, Rosie, Charlotte, Virginia & Charlene. Born in Chicago, Illinois, December 22, 1928 to Frank J. and Rose Mary Klavan Meitz who preceded him in death. "Papa" Frank, a proud and Semper Fidelis Marine passed from this earth on his birthday December 22nd at his home in Portage, Michigan with his beloved and devoted wife Maxine Micky by his side. Frank was 80 years young and most everyone he would meet would tell him ... "you sure don't look your age". Even tho he sported a pure white beard and grey hair, he always looked younger than his age and it always delighted him when hearing it. Frank is survived and will be missed greatly by his children and their spouses, Connie Meitz & Dean Gritsonis, Chicago, Illinois, Frank & Jeannette Meitz /Reno, Nevada, David Meitz /Gulfport, Florida and Mari Meitz & Todd Randi Elli. Papa Frank will be greatly missed by his four stepchildren and their spouses, Rebecca Newrones & Randy Reese/ N. Olmstead, Ohio, Cheryl Newrones & Bob Coughlin/N.Royalton, Ohio, Sondra Newrones & Scott Steele/Merritt Island, Florida, and George & Maryellen Newrones in Medina, Ohio and his precious 14 grandchildren , Nicholas, Deanna, Douglas, Justin, Lauren, Tiffany, Terry, Timothy, Megan, George, Stephanie, Samantha, Sarah, Stacey and one great-grand daughter, Cadence. Frank received his BSRE and his BSEE from Chicago Technical College and an MBA from Northwestern University. In his ever active and energetic life Frank had been an adjunct professor at the University of Wisconsin, Madison Management Institute, Madison, Wisconsin. He was rightly proud of his accomplishment to have been the first to design and implement a Maintenance Management Certification Program Series. His series, comprised of; Maintenance Management, Maintenance Management for the Smaller Company, Purchasing in the Maintenance Management System, Preventive Maintenance Design, Organization and Management, Maintenance Stores Part Numbering System, The How To's of Maintenance Management, and Managing Maintenance with Computer Assistance were available either on location or via video tape. Frank was president of his own Management-consulting firm, Frank J. Meitz and Associates in Summerland Key, Florida and provided management services for hundreds of companies in both the Production management and maintenance management environment. Recognized by his peers and clients as a foremost authority in maintenance management operations he was respectfully known in the industry as "Mr. Maintenance". Prior to founding The Frank J. Meitz Maintenance Management Institute, which was authorized by IACET to award Continuing Education Units, CEU's to participants who passed his courses, Frank taught the courses he designed at 11 universities across the country for over thirty years. Frank won countless awards, certificates, plaques and accolades of appreciation for his outstanding teaching style, his program leadership and his program development. He contributed his time and services freely to the American Production and Inventory Control Society. For many years he was a much sought after management consultant to top 500 companies. Fun loving "Papa" Frank was deemed an Honorary Conch and Citizen of the Fabulous Florida Keys by Florida Monroe County Mayor, Wilhelmina Harvey. Was an avid deep-sea angler with 13 fish replicas of course mounted and now hang on the walls of his Portage home to show his love and respect of the sport of fishing. Known as "Papa" Frank since he won the Ernest Hemingway Look-Alike Contest at Sloppy Joe's in Key West, Florida in 1993. Formed to promote true and lasting friendships, camaraderie and fellowship Papa Frank was involved in the creation of the Hemingway Look-Alike Society and proudly the Hemingway Look-Alike Society Scholarship Fund. Papa Frank was a great Ambassador for the Hemingway Look-Alike Society. And with a twinkle in his eyes, he liked to say he looked more like Hemingway than any of the other past Look-Alike winners. His twinkling eyes and white beard made him a perfect and popular Santa... always looking forward to the Christmas season when he could don his suit and be Papa Santa. His idea for the Hemingway Look-Alike Society Mid-Year event took hold and is going strong in Florida each year in February. We know that if Papa Frank were still with us today, here on God's good earth, Frank would express his thanks to his niece and nephew, Mandy and Therron Kokales of Scotts, Michigan for their gift of love. And would express his sincere gratefulness to his sister and brother in-law, Sharon and John Nelson of Scotts, Michigan for taking such good care of his brokenhearted wife, Micky, and Frank's forever at his side and faithful furry companion, Rambo, during this time of their deep sorrow.
Frank highly believed in Proton therapy for cancer. The University of Florida Proton Therapy Institute will be honored to accept donations in Frank's memory. Kindly send all donations to: Attention: Stuart L. Klein, MHA The University of Florida Proton Therapy Institute, 2015 North Jefferson Street
Jacksonville, Florida 32206. Local arrangements by Langeland Family Funeral Homes, Portage Chapel, 411 E. Centre Ave. 269 343-1508www.langelands.com