Famous Toledoan & World Class Athlete Dies

Frank Stranahan was the premier amateur golfer of his era who contended for majors and was the first notable player to make fitness a regimen in golf, has died.  His goal was to live to be 120.  He lived to be a very active 90 years old.  

Stranahan, who died Sunday in Hospice of Palm Beach County, FL, was regarded as the best amateur since Bobby Jones. Quattlebaum Funeral Home, which did not disclose his cause of death, said a memorial service was planned July 2.

The son of a wealthy industrialist family in Ohio - his father was the founder of Champion Spark Plug - Stranahan combined a life of privilege with his devotion to golf to win more than 50 amateur titles, including multiples wins in the British Amateur, Western Amateur and North and South Amateur.

See the following link for a detailed story and large photo gallery....
http://www.toledoblade.com/Deaths/2013/06/25/Frank-Richard-Stranahan.html 

(Note:  Like Frank Stranahan, THE HILLMAN, keeper of this humble blog, was also born and raised in Toledo, Ohio... and thus grew up hearing regularly about the exploits of Frank Stranahan and his father's mega-successful Toledo-based company, Champion Spark Plug.  The old Stanahan Estate on West Central Avenue is now a beautifil 430 acre park.  The family home is open for tours.  Also, The Stranahan Theater is the nicest venue in Toledo and NW Ohio for all types of concerts, touring Broadway shows, et cetera.) 

Respectfully,

~The Hillman

PS:  It should also be noted, in my entire life I have never heard a negative word about Frank Stranahan and his family.  He was well liked, accomplished and highly respected.  He will definitely be missed.