R. Michael Frank

R. Michael Frank, aged 86 years old, died peacefully at his home in Holland, Ohio on October 16, 2026.

He was born on January 21, 1940 in Hagerstown, Maryland to Merle Jack Frank and Elsie Frank.

He graduated from The University of Maryland and Cornell Law School.

After graduating from law school, he was hired by the Civil Rights Activist Floyd McKissick to work as an Associate Attorney at McKissick Law in Durham, North Carolina. He later worked as Managing Attorney at The Neighborhood Legal Services Project in Washington, D.C. Michael then moved to Toledo, where he had been recruited to serve as the first Executive Director of Advocates for Basic Legal Equality. He served as ABLE’s Executive Director for ten years until transitioning to private practice.

Michael spent almost 50 years practicing mainly Civil Rights and Employment Law. He retired twice, though it never quite stuck. He was an Associate and Partner of several law firms including Nathan & Roberts; Arnold, Caruso, Green & Belazis; and Greenfield, Killam & Frank. In another life he may have been a stock broker, as he enjoyed sharing investment tips and advice with his friends and family. He served on the Board of the Toledo Port Authority for many years. As a native of Baltimore, he was a dedicated fan the Orioles and the Ravens.

He is survived by his wife, Anneke, and their daughters, Marni (Randall) Gwin and Jenica (John) Dille, both of Ottawa Hills, OH; his four grandchildren; his sister, Jane Kahn; his former wife and life-long friend, Sandy Frank; and friends whom he considered family, Cathy Killam and Greg Peterson.

Funeral services will be private. In lieu of flowers, if you wish to make a donation in Michael’s name, please consider Hospice of Northwest Ohio.