Please Leave Memories and Other Kind Remarks
About Frank
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Frank’s legacy will live for many decades after his departure: he is the one person in my life who represented everything great about humanity, a true human human being. He has been my favorite ‘uncle’ for as long as I can remember, especially when we first met in Cape Town, South Africa. I feel remarkably privileged to have known Frank all these years and have learned some of life’s most important lessons about kindness, sacrifice, hardship, forgiveness, honesty and generosity from him.
Thanks Evan for putting this together: Frank’s memory and important role on this planet will live forever.
Frank was Frankie Boy to me and the name couldn’t have been more fitting. Even though his body aged in years, his spirit was forever young.
I can’t remember how long ago I met Frank for the first time but we became friends long before we actually met in person. He adopted me into the Nuremberg/Fuerth family because of my work on the Kissinger Family tree and I received the annual newsletters in Israel every year, always with a lovely personal note attached as if we were the best of friends.
I discovered that beyond our passion for connecting people from the “old country”, we had a common bond in our work to better the lives of children. His dedication to feeding children and to raising awareness to this cause was an opportunity to share professional news and information. Children should not be hungry – not in the US and not in Israel. He was going to see to that.
When we finally decided to hold a combined reunion – The Nuremberg/Fuerth group and the Kissingers, we worked together planning the event. That was when I had the full-fledged honor to really experience Frankie Boy in action. His dedication and drive, his “yekke-ness” and need to be on top of everything, his humor, love and caring… He made everyone feel good and important.
Frank was a role model and an inspiration. He changed the world in so many ways and through so many people. I am honored that I had the opportunity to be his friend.
Remembering Frank Harris
by Michael Heiman
(Second Generation Committee)
Harrisburg, PA
March 5, 2017
In early December, 2012 Paula and I accompanied my mother Ruth (Kitt) Heiman to join the grand celebration held in honor of Frank Harris on the occasion of his 90th birthday hosted by Beri and Frank’s family and friends in Tarrytown, NY. For my mother, it was a chance to catch up with her Nuremberg-Furth school friends following festive reunions put together by Frank over the previous four decades. With a glass of gin and tonic in hand, she was literally dancing around the room, enthusiastically introducing us to friends, some of whom she had not seen in many years. I do not recall having seen her any happier, particularly following a diagnosis of early onset dementia for my sister Diane two years earlier. Just 12 days later my mother passed away from undiagnosed leukemia shortly before her 88th birthday. Throughout the brief hospitalization, still quite cognizant and not in any pain, she focused on fond memories, including the wonderful time she had at Frank’s celebration. Ironically, my sister died two years later, the same day on the Jewish calendar.
True to form, Frank was there every step of the way, not only providing a moving tribute and dedicating the newsletter to my mother’s memory, but also regularly calling us over the ensuing years to inquire on our well-being and especially the progress of my sister’s young daughter Elise and her husband Bob Magrisso. Frank’s genuine loving concern, not only for our own mental and physical health, but also for each one of his huge and extended Nuremberg-Furth family was remarkable, a love not only reflected in his devotion to universal nutrition with no school child left behind for want of a well-balanced meal, but also with his tireless work on behalf of the aging victims of genocide through the Blue Card and housing the handicapped at Freedom Gardens.
My own involvement with the reunions came late, during the last few meetings where I helped with logistics and program planning. While not particularly attached either to Nuremberg or its pre-war Jewish population, as my mother’s family was only first generation there themselves, upon inquiry by Frank as to my availability to assist, I soon became far more involved than originally intended. As many of you know, one could not say “no” to Frank–his disarming charm and enthusiasm, together with his ready willingness to prepare ninety percent of the assigned task himself, left us no option. In time, communication through the countless conference calls among our small group was facilitated when Frank, already in his ’80s, moved from the 19th to the 20th century and embraced email. It was always a pleasure communicating with Frank–the telephone wires jumping with enthusiasm as he expertly guided us toward a pre-conceived notion that we typically assumed was our own, and invariably turned out to be the right decision. A master organizer, a true mensch! May Frank’s memory be for a blessing–an inspiration for those who were fortunate enough to have known him, and for those who will yet learn of his remarkable and enduring love for us all.
Frank Harris and my mother, Liese Fichtelberger Daniel, were schoolmates and close friends. As you all know, Frank fought for the USA in the Second World War. You also probably know much about his service and the remarkable coincidence of seeing his friend, Harold Reissner, in Germany at the end of the war.
My mother emigrated to the US in 1940. Frank and my mother kept in touch throughout their marriages. In 1975, my mother was diagnosed with ovarian cancer and she died in 1976. When she was close to her death, Frank came to visit her. She stated “Frank, you are so good at keeping people together. Promise me you will do that when I am gone.”
Frank reported that he initially dismissed the promise. Then the promise was kept and the first Nuremberg-Fuerth (NF) reunion was scheduled for 1978. I was in Minnesota at the time and could not make it. However, the Second Generation group (there may not have even been such a group at the time) was excellently represented by my “sister” Sue Herz.
Over the next 34 years, newsletters (separate First and Second-Fifth Generation newsletters) were published annually with newsy updates from First through Fifth generation members, momentous occasions in each member’s lives, births, deaths, marriages, big birthdays, full accounts of Frank’s travels, “surprise parties” he threw for himself, because he was born in December 7 and many other personal and wonderful entries about the thousands of people he loved and who loved him back.
Every fifth year or so, after 1978, there was another reunion in the Catskill areas. Often the reunions were at Kutscher’s and later at the Honor’s Haven or the Nevele. As you know, they were filled with music, laughter, tears, exhibit rooms, panel discussions and, of course, “schmooze” time. Frank stated that he wanted assistance from the Second generation to help organize these events. We would go with him (and Beri) to negotiate with the various hotels. Beri was the food critic and Frank was the expert in how to feed a large group of people. He also made sure the hotels understood the need for “no rushing” of meals, daises, flowers and flags. Having accompanied him many times to these negotiations, it was a Master class in how to get what you wanted and dispense with the nonsense (actually, Frank had another word for it).
As Michael Heiman has said on these pages, we ended up doing things the way Frank wanted to. He used such a velvet glove that we all thought that his ideas were correct and conformed to our ideas. We each were “in charge” of different aspects of the reunions and all ended up approving of these different aspects in long, pleasant and frequent conference calls. The NF group became a very important community in my life. I treasure all the relationships I have made with the different communities, but especially all of the members of the Second generation committees. Without Frank, we would never have met each other and formed such close relationships.
Frank was like a second father and a close friend to me, after my father died in 2001. We talked somewhat regularly. His interest in my family and events was quite touching. My daughter, Lisa, was involved in a panel discussion related to the third generation’s experiences.
As you also may know, my wife, Karen, died in 2014. Frank, who was then 91 years of age and with a spouse who was becoming more disabled almost daily, came to the funeral and the luncheon afterwards. It touched me deeply and he charmed everyone he met at the luncheon. What I learned from this experience is that we have many extant and different communities in our lives and the more communities we are part of, the better it is for each of us. NF was one of those communities.
I am in a relationship with Laura now. He asked about Lisa and Laura each time we talked, including the last time; about a month ago. In August 2016, Laura and I visited Frank and Beri. As usual, Frank was in charge of everything including the tour of the place, review of the meal and introductions to his wonderful caregivers. His mind was sharp as a tack, as it always was. I was so glad that we got to visit with him.
Frank was a remarkable man, generous to a fault. He supported the NF community in an infinite number of ways. He touched my life in ways I never would have imagined. Our NF community will forever be part of my family.
Thank you, Frank, for always having a twinkle in your eyes, showing your incredible sparkle and smile, being so supportive and interested in my life and keeping a promise to friend that you made 41 years ago.
I love you and will miss our talks and your sage advice.
Despite lots of nudges from Frank, I never made it to a reunion to meet him. I was lucky to be in regular contact by phone, notes and emails about my research of the Hugo and Clemy Mosbacher family from Nuremberg. He was full of support, encouragement and ideas and even contacted Beri’s family in Holland several times for help with documents in Dutch. His help was invaluable and kept me motivated when I felt overwhelmed. His travel adventures with Beri were inspirational. I always thought if Frank and Beri can travel, so can I. That’s what he did – nudged you to go further with what you feared was impossible. Thank you Frank for your big heart and spirit. You are greatly missed.
I have known Frank for over 25 years, having served on the Board with Frank for Freedom Gardens for the Handicapped. Frank was our tireless President and we will never be the same without him! I lovingly referred to Frank as our Ever Ready Bunny, never stopping, always giving, always with a smile. I was fortunate to be invited to his 90th Birthday celebration and was glad that I attended. Frank was one of a kind and we will miss him dearly at Freedom Gardens. Good Bye my friend and you are in a better place now. Love and Peace Frank. Jim Gilman
I am reaching out in hopes someone could help me. My name is Cindy Brooks and I am the Food Service Director for the Seymour Schools in CT. Our association the School Nutrition Association of CT is putting together a Memory Book from the state of CT and would like to present it to his son or a family member at our annual banquet on May 17th. I am hoping someone can provide me with contact information as we would greatly appreciate it. Thank you so much!
Frank Harris was a special friend of mine ! We met by coincidence; I live in the Netherlands near the US military cemetery of Margraten. Many years ago I adopted the grave of a soldier, Stephen Mosbacher. I tried to get into contact with his family, to get to know who Stephen was.
Just when I lost hope of getting any contact with acquaintances of Stephen, I received a phone call from Frank Harris. As a friend of Stephen, he wanted to get to know who had adopted Stephen’s grave. In 2007 we met for the first time. He became a good friend and every two years visited together with Beri our family. We always looked forward to their visit.
He was a very warm and wise person. Always interested in the lives and wellbeing of others. His positive nature was contagious, always a smile. We are very honored to have known Frank and will miss him dearly.
My connection to Frank was through my late grandmother Margot Schloss (Lowenthal) who went to school with Frank and her sister Ruth Weiss (Lowenthal) who now lives in Denmark. Frank drew me into the intergenerational whirl starting with the Newsletters that arrived for my grandmother in Australia that we browsed together in her kitchen. I was about 14 years old. I met Frank and Beri in the Catskills about 25 years later. Beri bought a beautiful dress for my four year old daughter, Adi, as if she was a grandchild. Yet another generation stronger. Frank could not have been happier, as if we had known each other our whole lives, which was in fact almost true.
Tomer Trevor Levin
Just a word to express my condolences to all.
I met Frank on a number of occasions when he visited my parents and I here in Montreal.
For the record, I am David Pinto, grandson of the late Rabbi Isaak Heilbronn, Rabbi of the Haupt Synagogue in Nurnberg and of his wife, the late Erna Heilbronn. They lived in Washington Heights, at Apt. 4A, 382 Wadsworth Avenue.
Happy Birthday in Heaven Frank on what would have been your 95th birthday I believe. Miss you every day and I am still fighting for you and your vision of Universal Meals for all Children!
I worked with Frank at Norwalk Public Schools from 1989-99. Frank and I were in the same bargaining unit, and we spent a lot of time working together. Frank was the Food Service Director for the district, and I was the Budget Coordinator. Frank always maintained unwavering support for the students and the program. I remember him being highly innovative and always coming up with new ways to serve meals to the students at the best possible price. I remember the program being used by the state as a model for other districts to follow. During our work, Frank would show me his correspondence and contacts with others in the industry (including high ranking politicians and representatives) that he could rely on for help. He was a true leader in the industry and was always willing to help you out in any way possible. I remember receiving a letter of reference from Frank which I really appreciated and used at several job interviews as I moved up the proverbial ladder. Frank was most proud of where he came from (Fuerth, Germany) and his network of friends he kept in touch with including Henry Kissinger. He shared with me stories of horrible things he lived through during the holocaust but was not angry or bitter about his experiences. He was a true champion and humanitarian. I will miss him. Sincere condolences to his family.
Frank A. Harris 
Frank’s legacy will live for many decades after his departure: he is the one person in my life who represented everything great about humanity, a true human human being. He has been my favorite ‘uncle’ for as long as I can remember, especially when we first met in Cape Town, South Africa. I feel remarkably privileged to have known Frank all these years and have learned some of life’s most important lessons about kindness, sacrifice, hardship, forgiveness, honesty and generosity from him.
Thanks Evan for putting this together: Frank’s memory and important role on this planet will live forever.
LikeLike
Frank was Frankie Boy to me and the name couldn’t have been more fitting. Even though his body aged in years, his spirit was forever young.
I can’t remember how long ago I met Frank for the first time but we became friends long before we actually met in person. He adopted me into the Nuremberg/Fuerth family because of my work on the Kissinger Family tree and I received the annual newsletters in Israel every year, always with a lovely personal note attached as if we were the best of friends.
I discovered that beyond our passion for connecting people from the “old country”, we had a common bond in our work to better the lives of children. His dedication to feeding children and to raising awareness to this cause was an opportunity to share professional news and information. Children should not be hungry – not in the US and not in Israel. He was going to see to that.
When we finally decided to hold a combined reunion – The Nuremberg/Fuerth group and the Kissingers, we worked together planning the event. That was when I had the full-fledged honor to really experience Frankie Boy in action. His dedication and drive, his “yekke-ness” and need to be on top of everything, his humor, love and caring… He made everyone feel good and important.
Frank was a role model and an inspiration. He changed the world in so many ways and through so many people. I am honored that I had the opportunity to be his friend.
LikeLike
Remembering Frank Harris
by Michael Heiman
(Second Generation Committee)
Harrisburg, PA
March 5, 2017
In early December, 2012 Paula and I accompanied my mother Ruth (Kitt) Heiman to join the grand celebration held in honor of Frank Harris on the occasion of his 90th birthday hosted by Beri and Frank’s family and friends in Tarrytown, NY. For my mother, it was a chance to catch up with her Nuremberg-Furth school friends following festive reunions put together by Frank over the previous four decades. With a glass of gin and tonic in hand, she was literally dancing around the room, enthusiastically introducing us to friends, some of whom she had not seen in many years. I do not recall having seen her any happier, particularly following a diagnosis of early onset dementia for my sister Diane two years earlier. Just 12 days later my mother passed away from undiagnosed leukemia shortly before her 88th birthday. Throughout the brief hospitalization, still quite cognizant and not in any pain, she focused on fond memories, including the wonderful time she had at Frank’s celebration. Ironically, my sister died two years later, the same day on the Jewish calendar.
True to form, Frank was there every step of the way, not only providing a moving tribute and dedicating the newsletter to my mother’s memory, but also regularly calling us over the ensuing years to inquire on our well-being and especially the progress of my sister’s young daughter Elise and her husband Bob Magrisso. Frank’s genuine loving concern, not only for our own mental and physical health, but also for each one of his huge and extended Nuremberg-Furth family was remarkable, a love not only reflected in his devotion to universal nutrition with no school child left behind for want of a well-balanced meal, but also with his tireless work on behalf of the aging victims of genocide through the Blue Card and housing the handicapped at Freedom Gardens.
My own involvement with the reunions came late, during the last few meetings where I helped with logistics and program planning. While not particularly attached either to Nuremberg or its pre-war Jewish population, as my mother’s family was only first generation there themselves, upon inquiry by Frank as to my availability to assist, I soon became far more involved than originally intended. As many of you know, one could not say “no” to Frank–his disarming charm and enthusiasm, together with his ready willingness to prepare ninety percent of the assigned task himself, left us no option. In time, communication through the countless conference calls among our small group was facilitated when Frank, already in his ’80s, moved from the 19th to the 20th century and embraced email. It was always a pleasure communicating with Frank–the telephone wires jumping with enthusiasm as he expertly guided us toward a pre-conceived notion that we typically assumed was our own, and invariably turned out to be the right decision. A master organizer, a true mensch! May Frank’s memory be for a blessing–an inspiration for those who were fortunate enough to have known him, and for those who will yet learn of his remarkable and enduring love for us all.
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Minor correction–My mother passed away just shy of her 89th birthday, not her 88th.
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Where to begin?
Frank Harris and my mother, Liese Fichtelberger Daniel, were schoolmates and close friends. As you all know, Frank fought for the USA in the Second World War. You also probably know much about his service and the remarkable coincidence of seeing his friend, Harold Reissner, in Germany at the end of the war.
My mother emigrated to the US in 1940. Frank and my mother kept in touch throughout their marriages. In 1975, my mother was diagnosed with ovarian cancer and she died in 1976. When she was close to her death, Frank came to visit her. She stated “Frank, you are so good at keeping people together. Promise me you will do that when I am gone.”
Frank reported that he initially dismissed the promise. Then the promise was kept and the first Nuremberg-Fuerth (NF) reunion was scheduled for 1978. I was in Minnesota at the time and could not make it. However, the Second Generation group (there may not have even been such a group at the time) was excellently represented by my “sister” Sue Herz.
Over the next 34 years, newsletters (separate First and Second-Fifth Generation newsletters) were published annually with newsy updates from First through Fifth generation members, momentous occasions in each member’s lives, births, deaths, marriages, big birthdays, full accounts of Frank’s travels, “surprise parties” he threw for himself, because he was born in December 7 and many other personal and wonderful entries about the thousands of people he loved and who loved him back.
Every fifth year or so, after 1978, there was another reunion in the Catskill areas. Often the reunions were at Kutscher’s and later at the Honor’s Haven or the Nevele. As you know, they were filled with music, laughter, tears, exhibit rooms, panel discussions and, of course, “schmooze” time. Frank stated that he wanted assistance from the Second generation to help organize these events. We would go with him (and Beri) to negotiate with the various hotels. Beri was the food critic and Frank was the expert in how to feed a large group of people. He also made sure the hotels understood the need for “no rushing” of meals, daises, flowers and flags. Having accompanied him many times to these negotiations, it was a Master class in how to get what you wanted and dispense with the nonsense (actually, Frank had another word for it).
As Michael Heiman has said on these pages, we ended up doing things the way Frank wanted to. He used such a velvet glove that we all thought that his ideas were correct and conformed to our ideas. We each were “in charge” of different aspects of the reunions and all ended up approving of these different aspects in long, pleasant and frequent conference calls. The NF group became a very important community in my life. I treasure all the relationships I have made with the different communities, but especially all of the members of the Second generation committees. Without Frank, we would never have met each other and formed such close relationships.
Frank was like a second father and a close friend to me, after my father died in 2001. We talked somewhat regularly. His interest in my family and events was quite touching. My daughter, Lisa, was involved in a panel discussion related to the third generation’s experiences.
As you also may know, my wife, Karen, died in 2014. Frank, who was then 91 years of age and with a spouse who was becoming more disabled almost daily, came to the funeral and the luncheon afterwards. It touched me deeply and he charmed everyone he met at the luncheon. What I learned from this experience is that we have many extant and different communities in our lives and the more communities we are part of, the better it is for each of us. NF was one of those communities.
I am in a relationship with Laura now. He asked about Lisa and Laura each time we talked, including the last time; about a month ago. In August 2016, Laura and I visited Frank and Beri. As usual, Frank was in charge of everything including the tour of the place, review of the meal and introductions to his wonderful caregivers. His mind was sharp as a tack, as it always was. I was so glad that we got to visit with him.
Frank was a remarkable man, generous to a fault. He supported the NF community in an infinite number of ways. He touched my life in ways I never would have imagined. Our NF community will forever be part of my family.
Thank you, Frank, for always having a twinkle in your eyes, showing your incredible sparkle and smile, being so supportive and interested in my life and keeping a promise to friend that you made 41 years ago.
I love you and will miss our talks and your sage advice.
LikeLike
Despite lots of nudges from Frank, I never made it to a reunion to meet him. I was lucky to be in regular contact by phone, notes and emails about my research of the Hugo and Clemy Mosbacher family from Nuremberg. He was full of support, encouragement and ideas and even contacted Beri’s family in Holland several times for help with documents in Dutch. His help was invaluable and kept me motivated when I felt overwhelmed. His travel adventures with Beri were inspirational. I always thought if Frank and Beri can travel, so can I. That’s what he did – nudged you to go further with what you feared was impossible. Thank you Frank for your big heart and spirit. You are greatly missed.
LikeLike
I have known Frank for over 25 years, having served on the Board with Frank for Freedom Gardens for the Handicapped. Frank was our tireless President and we will never be the same without him! I lovingly referred to Frank as our Ever Ready Bunny, never stopping, always giving, always with a smile. I was fortunate to be invited to his 90th Birthday celebration and was glad that I attended. Frank was one of a kind and we will miss him dearly at Freedom Gardens. Good Bye my friend and you are in a better place now. Love and Peace Frank. Jim Gilman
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I am reaching out in hopes someone could help me. My name is Cindy Brooks and I am the Food Service Director for the Seymour Schools in CT. Our association the School Nutrition Association of CT is putting together a Memory Book from the state of CT and would like to present it to his son or a family member at our annual banquet on May 17th. I am hoping someone can provide me with contact information as we would greatly appreciate it. Thank you so much!
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Frank Harris was a special friend of mine ! We met by coincidence; I live in the Netherlands near the US military cemetery of Margraten. Many years ago I adopted the grave of a soldier, Stephen Mosbacher. I tried to get into contact with his family, to get to know who Stephen was.
Just when I lost hope of getting any contact with acquaintances of Stephen, I received a phone call from Frank Harris. As a friend of Stephen, he wanted to get to know who had adopted Stephen’s grave. In 2007 we met for the first time. He became a good friend and every two years visited together with Beri our family. We always looked forward to their visit.
He was a very warm and wise person. Always interested in the lives and wellbeing of others. His positive nature was contagious, always a smile. We are very honored to have known Frank and will miss him dearly.
LikeLike
My connection to Frank was through my late grandmother Margot Schloss (Lowenthal) who went to school with Frank and her sister Ruth Weiss (Lowenthal) who now lives in Denmark. Frank drew me into the intergenerational whirl starting with the Newsletters that arrived for my grandmother in Australia that we browsed together in her kitchen. I was about 14 years old. I met Frank and Beri in the Catskills about 25 years later. Beri bought a beautiful dress for my four year old daughter, Adi, as if she was a grandchild. Yet another generation stronger. Frank could not have been happier, as if we had known each other our whole lives, which was in fact almost true.
Tomer Trevor Levin
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Just a word to express my condolences to all.
I met Frank on a number of occasions when he visited my parents and I here in Montreal.
For the record, I am David Pinto, grandson of the late Rabbi Isaak Heilbronn, Rabbi of the Haupt Synagogue in Nurnberg and of his wife, the late Erna Heilbronn. They lived in Washington Heights, at Apt. 4A, 382 Wadsworth Avenue.
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Happy Birthday in Heaven Frank on what would have been your 95th birthday I believe. Miss you every day and I am still fighting for you and your vision of Universal Meals for all Children!
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I worked with Frank at Norwalk Public Schools from 1989-99. Frank and I were in the same bargaining unit, and we spent a lot of time working together. Frank was the Food Service Director for the district, and I was the Budget Coordinator. Frank always maintained unwavering support for the students and the program. I remember him being highly innovative and always coming up with new ways to serve meals to the students at the best possible price. I remember the program being used by the state as a model for other districts to follow. During our work, Frank would show me his correspondence and contacts with others in the industry (including high ranking politicians and representatives) that he could rely on for help. He was a true leader in the industry and was always willing to help you out in any way possible. I remember receiving a letter of reference from Frank which I really appreciated and used at several job interviews as I moved up the proverbial ladder. Frank was most proud of where he came from (Fuerth, Germany) and his network of friends he kept in touch with including Henry Kissinger. He shared with me stories of horrible things he lived through during the holocaust but was not angry or bitter about his experiences. He was a true champion and humanitarian. I will miss him. Sincere condolences to his family.
LikeLike