Obituary

Frank, 97, passed away peacefully in his apartment at edgewood summit on june, 29. He was born in chicago, illinois on june 20, 1920. He grew up in chicago and attended purdue university where he earned a bachelors degree in chemical engineering in 1942. He moved to south charleston upon his graduation to take an engineering position with union carbide where he worked until his retirement in 1982. He enrolled in the university of kentucky in 1983 and earned a phd degree in mathematics in 1987. He was a lifelong member of christ united methodist church where he served on many committees.

The things he accomplished during his lifetime are numerous and wide ranging and include the following: he was an eagle scout. He was a member of phi beta kappa scholarship fraternity and pi kappa phi social fraternity at purdue. He was a swimmer and was captain of his high school swim team as well as participating on the purdue university varsity swim team. In 1951 he won the west virginia open chess championship. He was a swim team coach in the 1950’s and 60’s for the ywca swim team and for windemere pool and was inducted into the greater kanawha valley swimming hall of fame in 1991. While at union carbide he participated in their contract bridge league and earned the distinction of life master. Frank became interested in sailing in the 1960’s and was active in the seneca lake (ohio) sailing club where he sailed his windmill class sailboat, one of three wooden boats that he built. He also enjoyed travelling to regional regattas in the eastern united states. Always the physical fitness advocate he started jogging to keep fit in the late 1960’s he ran in the the first twenty-five charleston distance run’s, completing twenty-four of them, with a first place finish in the 60 and over class in 1980. In the 1993 distance run he was awarded the “most courageous award”. Frank also completed sixteen marathon runs in various eastern us cities. Studying physics and math were big a part of his life as well as reading science fiction and mystery novels.

Frank was preceded in death by his father, frank michael branner, sr., his mother, bertha branner, and heidi, his loving wife of 68 years. Surviving frank are his sister, june branner of friday harbor, washington, sons steve (nancy) of south charleston and john (connie) of athens, ohio, his daughter susy karnes (larry) of mason, michigan, ten grandchildren, and ten and a half great grandchildren.

Frank spent the last two and a half years of his life at edgewood summit where he thoroughly enjoyed the social atmosphere and friendships that he made there. Playing bridge and poker with some of the other residents were activities that he thoroughly enjoyed. He was sometimes referred to as the man with the “brilliant mind”. He had a great sense of humor and never lost a chance to tell a corny joke or pun.

Frank requested that his body be donated to the west virginia university medical school to help in their on-going medical research.

A celebration of frank’s amazing life will be held in the multi-purpose room at edgewood summit on saturday, august 5, at 2:00pm.

You may send condolences to the family at:www.Barlowbonsall.Com

barlow bonsall funeral home has been entrusted to handle the arrangements.