Frank Z. Edwards passed on quietly in his sleep Wednesday evening, September 8, 1982 at his retirement residence in Palm Bay, Florida. He was born on February 6, 1910 in Brooklyn, New York, where he spent his younger years and later attended City College of New York, where he made Phi Beta Kappa, later to graduate from Rutgers University. Prior to his retirement in 1971, Frank was the Eastern Sales Representative for Anacortes Veneers, a division of Publishers Paper, owners of the L.A. Times.
His interest in mineralogy developed later in life than most, piqued by the advent of the annual mineral shows held in Franklin each Fall, which he soon became a part of as an exhibitor and later a dealer. The demands of his newly discovered avocation soon encouraged Frank, along with Sunny Cook, Dick Hauck and John Hendricks, to found the Franklin-Ogdensburg Mineralogical Society.
He served as President of the Society for two years, 1960 and 1961. It was during his term as President that Frank experienced his greatest period of challenge, and what he personally considered to be his greatest moment with the Society, as he directed the first Symposium on Franklin Mineralogy and Geology. That unique assembly represented an unprecedented gathering of scientific and technical expertise, which also stands as one of this Society's finest hours.
It was also during his term as President that he inherited the post of Editor of the Picking Table. It is as Editor of this journal that we are most familiar with Frank. He authored dozens of articles along the way, although only a few carried by-lines. The time he spent gathering and editing each issue, some thirty-six in all, is incalcuable. He carried on for eighteen years, often inspiring others, through times often barren, that would have frustrated the efforts of a lesser person.
He laid the foundation and built the superstructure, not only for a journal that has grown to a singular reputation of excellence, but for a Society as well.
He leaves his widow, Alice C. Edwards, at home, a son, Richard H. Edwards of Benecia, California, a daughter, Dr. Susan Beatty of Malvern, Pennsylvania, eight grandchildren and eight great-grandchildren.
All of us are certainly better to have known, worked and played with Frank Z. Edwards. His sense of purpose and dedication remains with us.
Source: The Picking Table, Spring 1983
|
