Frank Wilkison Batsch

Frank Wilkison Batsch, beloved and devoted husband, father, brother, uncle, and grandfather, passed away peacefully on December 26, 2020 in Naples, Florida with his family by his side.

Frank was born January 7, 1931 in Toledo, Ohio.  He married Barbara Ann Cleveland on January 17, 1953 in Millbrae, California.  Frank served in the United States Airforce flying weather reconnaissance during the Korean War.  He attended California State Polytechnic University in Pomona, California.  In addition to Toledo Ohio, he resided in Guam, Albuquerque New Mexico, Muncie Indiana, Columbus Ohio, Santa Fe New Mexico, and Naples Florida.

Before he retired, Frank was an executive vice president for Lancaster Colony Corporation in Columbus, Ohio.  Frank began his business career in Dunkirk, Indiana working for Indiana Glass, a company started by his grandfather.  Frank was a member Scioto Country Club and the Club at Muirfield in Ohio, as well as the Moorings Country Club and the Club at Pelican Bay in Naples.

Frank was an ardent supporter of the University of Michigan football.  He attended his first U of M football game with his father at 5 years old, recruited players for U of M under coach Bo Schembechler, and continued to be an avid fan throughout his lifetime.

Frank loved fast cars and airplanes.  After his military service, he continued his flying career as a private pilot.  He piloted several planes over the years, his favorites being manufactured by Beechcraft.  His last plane was a Beechcraft Duke, which he flew family and friends to various locations around the United States.  He was an amazing yet exceedingly careful pilot, and his passion for flying gave him great joy.

Like the fine wines and cheeses (not to mention crackers) he loved to indulge in, Frank was aged to perfection.  On the other hand, he could be perfectly happy with a bowl of pork rinds and glass of his favorite Stella Artois beer.  He had a particular fondness for butter in any way, shape, or form, and was never known to refuse a good oatmeal cookie or a crispy piece of bacon or two, or three or….  He would often be heard to say after a sumptuous supper “Well that was delicious.  Now what’s for dinner?”

Frank loved old movies, especially westerns.  He was a history buff and could recall intricate facts about the various presidents of the United States.  He had a passion for western art and collected many beautiful pieces over the years.  He enjoyed classical and pops music, as well as dance and musicals, and was a longstanding patron of the Naples Philharmonic Symphony and the Barbara Mann Theater.

Frank will be missed most by his wife Barbara, his son Chuck (the moose) and his daughter Lynn (the mouse), and their spouses Lisa and Lee, his daughter Karen (the flea), his grandchildren Trevor and Lainey, his brother and sister-in-law, Ben and Maria, his nieces Kathy and Terry and their spouses Ed and Doug, his grandnieces Erin and Maggie and their spouses Brandon and Brad, and his great grand niece and nephew Ellie and Wilks.

Frank was a kind and giving person in all areas of his life.  His generosity of spirit touched many lives and helped better the world in countless ways.   He will be sorely missed, strongly remembered, and always loved.

A service to celebrate Frank’s life will be held on his 90th birthday, January 7, 2021 at 10:00am at St. John’s Episcopal Church in Naples, Florida, where he was a longstanding member.  All are welcome to attend in person or via the following live stream link:

http://embed.truthcasting.com/video/100003394/202741

In lieu of flowers, the family requests contributions be sent in memory of Frank to the Alzheimer’s Support Network ( http://support.network/online-donations).