On June 12, 1950, Timothy David Franck was born in Concord, California, to Merrill and Frances Franck. On Tuesday, August 8, 2023, Timothy David Franck passed away suddenly and peacefully in his sleep in Merced, California.
With brothers Dan, John, Matt, and his extra special, late sister Ellen, stories were shared of the times and memories they created. He always said they loved growing up in California in the mid-to-late 60s with Creedence Clearwater Revival’s John and Dan Fogerty as their local garage band. Whether he actually met Jimi Hendrix is still a question. Did he actually see The Band before The Last Waltz came out? Only Ellen could have known. He loved the small concert venues that only people of that generation can appreciate. He continued to seek them out through the rest of his years. All of us know about them through the stories that he told.
He went on to Humboldt State University, California where he made some of his best friends. And for some reason his speech and debate coach suggested he go to Bowling Green State University in Ohio. Tim asked his dad where Ohio was, as any “California kid” would, and he said “turn right on I-80 and go east for 2500 miles.” After earning his PhD in 1975, he made it to small town Ohio and met Becky, the mother of his two children who loved him so much. Traveling as an educator took them to Texas, where his son Nate was born. The three of them then moved to Wooster, Ohio where he joined the staff at the College of Wooster.
He bought season tickets to the Cleveland Browns in the mid-1980s, which was the cause of much joy and anguish for Tim and Nate. For the next 40 years, inseparable from his best friend Denny Keplar, he only missed games for life changing reasons. He thought for sure they were going to the Super Bowl in 1984. But instead the love of his life, daughter Allison, came into his world and he knew that they would eat ice cream and go to bed at 9:00 pm just like dad and daddy’s girl should do.
Years passed, things changed. Life happened. But thankfully for his own sake, the last love of his life came along. Tim and Nancy built and created a beautiful home together overlooking a beautiful body of water. They were able to watch their grandkids grow up riding the zip line while he grilled bratwurst, which was about the only food he could cook.
He dedicated 20 years to The Wooster Brush Company as a National Account Sales Rep and traveled much of the world selling “hog hair on the end of a stick”. When he was able to retire in 2015, he didn’t think twice and didn’t hide his thoughts. He knew what he was planning and he executed those plans. He found out how comfortable his recliner was, and how much he loved having free time to spend with his grandchildren and family. He was a wordsmith in many ways, and he will be missed by all.
Tim attended Wooster United Methodist Church since 1986. He taught junior high and high school Sunday School classes for many years and oh, the stories… those kids loved him. He was not your conventional teacher, and they all came away saying the same thing: “He treated us like equals, he respected us and he cared about what we were going through. He taught us life lessons. He knew what activities we were involved in. He really cared.” More recently he was involved in the choir because “that’s what you do when you’re married to the director!” Tim was also involved in the Heart of Ohio Emmaus community attending Men’s Walk #4 and eventually becoming Lay Director.
Tim is survived and will be missed immensely by his beloved wife, Nancy, his son, Nate Franck, and daughter-in-law, Alissa, his daughter, Allison, and son-in-law, Aaron Vizzo, as well as his step-daughter, Amy, and her husband, Bryan Lambertsen, and step-son, Cory Lewis. His grandchildren, Gwen and Libby Vizzo, and Ethan and Christian Lambertsen, brought enormous joy to his life, and his love for them was beyond measure.
A celebration of Tim’s life will be held at Wooster United Methodist Church, 243 N. Market St., Wooster on Sunday, August 27 at 4 pm.
In lieu of flowers, please make donations to The Cleveland Browns Foundation (clevelandbrowns.com/foundation). Sunday at 4 pm might be an unusual time for a celebration service, but it’s actually symbolic of the day and prime time kickoff for his beloved Browns.
McIntire, Bradham & Sleek Funeral Home, 216 E. Larwill St., Wooster is assisting the family.
From all of us who love him, we love you Tim. We’re all going to miss you.
Online condolences may be left for the family at www.mcintirebradhamsleek.com
Again Nancy we don’t have the words to truly express our sorrow for this “all too soon” passing on of Tim. Our grandchildren use to call him “the elevator man” due to all the trips he was willing to take with a bunch of kids up and down after church. A true and kind leader in so many ways!
We are saddened to hear the passing of Tim. Nancy, Nate, Allison: Our heartfelt condolences are being sent to you.
I met Tim in 1988 when I worked at (then) Glidden, downtown Cleveland. Tim was such a cool, down to earth person – who befriended my husband Scott, My sister and brother in law, Marybeth & Tom Terwilliger; all who enjoyed tailgating on ‘our’ island at the mini lot. Such fond memories!
Bunch of crazies who got up before dawn and returned after dark!
Rest easy, Tim. You are loved!
Just remembering when the children would come up before being dismissed to Sunday school. Whenever Tim gave the children’s message, he typically had a bag of goodies for the children’s delight and often the Sunday school teacher’s delight as well. A true mentor of what it meant to emulate Christ and keep a mischievous smile while doing it. Love you.
We are heartbroken over Tims passing. He was such a huge part of our life since we moved here almost 20 years ago. We live next door and saw him almost every day since he enjoyed his retirement. He always had a smile and something funny to say . So much more than a neighbor and a friend, we miss him deeply. We loved his wit and fun stories, his big heart and contagious laugh. We enjoyed watching the superbowl with him every year and our gatherings for many occasions. Our heartfelt condolences to his family, and much Love to you Nancy. He will stay in our hearts forever. Rest in peace Tim.
Nancy, now mom will REALLY have a hard time telling what day it is. She’s said for the last ten years or so, when Tim would go to the house to visit with dad and then with mom, “It must be Tuesday, because Tim Franck was here today.” He was her one “for sure” visitor, plus of course her neighbors, during the week (unless it was vacation time). Remember the “good stuff” and the years together.
Tim was one of my two best debaters at Humboldt State University. I am the one who recommended that he go to graduate school at Bowling Green State University. I recently saw him and his wife Nancy and was privileged to sit next to him at a reunion of some students of mine from fifty years ago. Tim was a gem who will truly be missed.
Hello Nancy and family, my heart aches for you all. And yet excited because Tim has finally come into the presence of Jesus. I remember those days when you both were apart of the Emmaus Community . You both served the Community 100%. And then God called you both to go and serve others and share the story. Peace, love and blessings to you all.
Tim was a pillar of our church and the best liturgist. He will be greatly missed. Our thoughts & prayers are with the family.
There are no words available to express the sadness being felt in hearing of Tim’s passing; nor are there enough words to tell of ALL Tim has done in his family, church, & community to make life brighter & better! His brand of joy & wisdom will be missed by so many. I know he made a powerful contribution to our kids’ feeling a part of the church! John & I feel blessed to have known him & call him our friend. He will be missed by so many people…..and our hearts break for the loss you, his family, are feeling. God will provide strength, comfort, & peace.
We had the pleasure of working with Tim for many years at Wooster Brush. He was so funny, kind and genuine-a real joy to work with. We will miss running into him out and about, and hearing stories of he and Nancy’s travels.
Our deepest sympathy to Tim’s Family, and especially Nancy who he told me once-he hit the lottery when he met her-
I hope your good and happy memories of him help through your loss.
Becky Spiker and Bruce Bochnak
Just happen to scroll the obits and are shocked and sadden on the loss of Tim. Living in “Triway Country” we met Tim and his Family thru soccer and basketball having siblings in both. Reading the comments of Tim does described him very well as we found talking with him. Could tell he was very well educated and well versed in the English language…. he was entertaining to talk with could describe an incident or person of insulting them thinking they were being praised….love it. I can understand his love for Calif as I having been in San Francisco while in the Navy. Fortunate to know Tim and his Family and always had a great smile when we met whether at a school function or downtown Wooster event. One note should be mention Tim a former Professor at Wooster College. Condolences to the Franck Family as he will be remembered by many. Harry & Janet Florida
I worked with Tim for many years at Wooster Brush. He was a friend, mentor and counselor to me. He always asked me how I was doing and how my kids were doing. He Tim Tim was a friend, a mentor and a counselor to me. He gave me plenty of good advice. Tim was so kind and thoughtful towards those in need. He would visit nursing homes just so they had someone to talk to. I am thankful for the years that I spent working with him. Nancy, you made him so happy. I am so sorry for your loss. I love you and God bless you
and the kids.
I worked with Tim for many years at Wooster Brush. He was a friend, mentor and counselor to me. He always asked me how I was doing and how my kids were doing. He Tim Tim was a friend, a mentor and a counselor to me. He gave me plenty of good advice. Tim was so kind and thoughtful towards those in need. He would visit nursing homes just so they had someone to talk to. I am thankful for the years that I spent working with him. Nancy, you made him so happy. I am so sorry for your loss. I love you, God bless you
and the kids.
I worked with Tim for many years at Wooster Brush. He was a friend, mentor and counselor to me. He always asked me how my kids were doing. He gave me plenty of good advice. Tim was so kind and thoughtful. He visited nursing homes just to talk to the residents. I am thankful for the many years we worked together. Nancy, you made him so happy. I love you, God bless you and the kids.
I was so saddened to learn of Tim’s passing. What a guy and what a life! He lived life to its fullest. My sympathy to all of his family.
So sorry for your loss. May you find peace and comfort in knowing that he is with Jesus. Remember the good times and take care of each other. God bless and keep. 💕🙏
I got to know Tim while I was still with The Glidden Company, and became one of their Applicator Sales Managers in 1989, and got to know him better after I joined The Brush. Above all, Tim was a gentleman. He was a calming force, especially when things were not going in the direction we wanted, or expected them to. When some people wanted to give ’em another broadside, he pulled back on the reigns and made us think about the consequences. It was my pleasure to have know him and worked with him. I wish we had stayed in touch. He will be singing with the angels, now.
My condolences to you, Nancy, Becky, Nate, Allie and families on the loss of a great man. I was blessed to have known him. He left a positive imprint on this earth.
So very sorry for your loss. I enjoyed talking to Tim at Wooster Brush Co. He was so very kind.
Tim welcomed me in the office of Wooster Brush as a college student many years ago. He always had a warm connection to share and a hilarious story to get you through the day. He was such a supportive fan of all things Woo and Triway. He had a way of taking a difficult situation and seeing the silver lining using his extensive vocabulary and comic relief. You always walked away from Tim feeling better about life! Please accept my deepest condolences on this great loss. I am very sorry for you, Nancy; children and grandchildren at this time. My prayers are with you as you navigate through the days without our Tim. There will never be a Browns game where I won’t stop and thank God for giving us the joy of knowing Dr. Timothy David Franck. Peace be with you all.
I heard the sad news yesterday. The passing of a dear friend is sad. The passing of someone so suddenly is so very hard. My deepest condolences to Nate and Allison, and family. I am praying for comfort, peace and strength for you all. I will forever hold onto the special memories of my dear friend Tim. I will remember his wit, his compassion and his love for life.
Tim was on my mind today and as I searched for him online, I was sad to find he had passed. I was an unremarkable student of his at the College of Wooster (1985) but he shaped me in ways that remain with me today. He taught us to pay attention to advertisements and not sit back passively allowing them to wash over us and into our brains. To this day, when I mute the commercials I think of him. He taught those of us at the radio station how to cover election night politics and those skills came into play in my career.
Tim was a leader, mentor and teacher both within and beyond the classroom. The world is a darker place without his light.