Herman Frank, age 81, died at his home in Oak Harbor Aug. 9, 2016. He was born in Bismarck, N.D., Jan. 10, 1935, to Elmer and Denisia Frank.

Herman was raised in Strasburg, N.D., and at the age of 17, left home to enlist in the U.S. Navy.

Herman served a four-year enlistment and left the service. He returned to Strasburg to work for a short time, but soon realized the Navy was to be his career choice. He returned to active duty.

Herman was deployed to Naples, Italy, where he met a young lady and her sister who were vacationing in Italy. They had lunch together on several occasions. The girls traveled to the states to visit their aunt in San Francisco and Herman followed. On Aug. 20, 1971, Herman and Rosa Maria were married at Naval Air Station Whidbey Island.

Rosa Maria became a stay-at-home mom, raising three children. Herman completed his military service, retiring in 1977 as an AEC with over 22 years of military service. Herman then began a second career working as an electrician for Public Works, Brown and Root and DelGen at the Naval Air Station before retiring a second time.

Herman was a quiet, private man with a very strong work ethic. He was a planner who enjoyed building structures on his property by hand with the wood from trees on his land and also building his own greenhouse. He enjoyed gardening, hunting, fishing and camping. He was also an avid history buff.

Herman is survived by his wife Rosa Maria; by his daughter Marisa Maria and her former husband Floyd; his son Wolfgang and wife Jessica; and grandchildren, Jade, Alea, Georgia and Charlotte. He was preceded in death by his son Gunther.

Funeral mass for Herman Frank will be celebrated at 11 a.m. Friday, Aug. 26, 2016, at St. Augustine Catholic Church with Rev. Jerry Kienzle as celebrant. A reception for family and friends will follow in the church Parish Hall. Private prayers of interment will follow at Maple Leaf Cemetery.

Please visit Herman’s page in the Book of Memories at www.wallinfuneralhome.com to share memories and condolences. Arrangements are entrusted to Wallin Funeral Home & Cremation, LLC, Oak Harbor.