THE KNIGHTS CRUSADE OF FRANK STILL 4-1-2010
Frank was born in Danbury, Iowa. He became a 3rd degree knight in Council 539 in Denver, CO, in February, 1947. He came from a family of knights. When his father was married, in Council Bluffs, IA, June 14, 1911, he was already the Grand Knight of the Norton, KS, Council. His father later served as District Deputy and remained active until his death. At the time of his death he was a member of St. Patricks Council in Atchison , KS.
Frank's brother was also an active knight, joining in the early 30's while in the Navy and was a Grand Knight while in the Phillipines. He later served as Grand Knight and Faithful Navigator while living in Orange County, California. When the California State Convention was held in San Diego in 1964, Frank and his brother led the knight's march from the El Cortez Hotel to St. Joseph's Cathedral wearing their white capes and full 4th degree regalia.
After Franks family moved from Iowa to a small farm just outside of Atchison, KS, Frank attended public and Catholic schools and served as a Columbian Squire. He then worked his way through the first two years of St. Benedict's College. In March 1943 Frank was drafted into the Army Air Corps. He did basic training at Ft. Collins, CO, where he organized a Military Holy Name Unit. Each Sunday this unit would march from the base Tech Square to the Catholic Church for services.
Later, while serving mass at the Great Bend, KS, Air Base, Frank was afflicted with a punctured lung. He later suffered other afflictions until finally in November, 1944, he received his medical discharge. He then reentered college and in January, 1948 he received a degree in Business Relations from Regis College in Denver.
His move to Denver brought many other changes to Frank's life. In addition to joining the knights he courted and married Florine Richmeier, a Kansas farm girl who had attended Mt. St. Scholastica Academy and College in Atchison. They met in February, 1947, became engaged in April, and were married February 7, 1948, at Immaculate Conception Cathedral in Denver. They had their rehearsal dinner, wedding breakfast and reception at Council 539. These arrangements were published in the National Catholic Register. The family still keeps a copy of this publication. Their honeymoon was interesting in that they traveled by train to Del Mar, CA, where they enjoyed the honeymoon suite for a rate of $10 per night. They later stayed at the Hollywood Knickerbocker Hotel for the same rate.
Frank and Florine's marriage was blessed with three sons and one daughter who were able to attend University High School (now Cathedral).
For employment, Frank joined the U. S. Civil Service and was assigned to the Rocky Mountain Arsenal in Denver. Later he was transferred to several locations which allowed him to carry on his Knights of Columbus Crusade. In Sparks, NV, he helped start Council 4928. This council will celebrate its 50th anniversary, April 10, 2010. During these transfers he served as Grand Knight, Faithful Navigator, District Deputy, State Secretary for the State of Nevada and Chairman of New Council Development for the California Southern District. He founded Councils at Mother of Confidence, Mt. Carmel, University of San Diego, Julian, Scripps Ranch and Rancho Bernardo. He was Grand Knight of Council 9710, Valley of the Angels in 1993-94.
Other events in Franks Crusade were that he grew up knowing relatives of Bishop Charles F. Buddy before he became a bishop. Florine, his wife received her High School Diploma from Bishop Buddy. Msgr. Dennis Mikulanis attended High School with Frank's son, Bob. Father Dennis, while at St. Mary Magdalen, presided at the wedding of Frank and Florine's daughter.
Now Frank is residing at Nazareth House in San Diego. Florine will soon join him there and they will embark on their final Crusade with the loving care of the sisters and care givers of the home. Truly this has be a Catholic and Knightly Crusade.
Page Holbrook Watts
John Ramirez
858-673-1949 H
858-776-1937 C
