David Randall Frank, who owned and operated a Toledo metal-stamping plant, died March 31 at his Waterville home. He was 59.

He died of leukemia, his wife of 34 years, Robin Frank said.

Mr. Frank was the president and owner of Amcraft Inc. on Enterprise Boulevard in North Toledo since 1994, after joining the family business in 1991 as the plant manager. 

Along with Mrs. Frank, he also oversaw the daily operations until the time of death.

“He was very fair, generous, and always willing to listen to others,” Mrs. Frank said.

Mr. Frank redesigned the product line and the business model soon after joining the business and eventually grew the company.

“He was always open to ideas. And the biggest thing was he treated people with respect, regardless if it was a worker on the dock or the president of a company,” Mrs. Frank said, adding that her husband was also a very private person.

Before Mr. Frank joined the company, he was a plant manager at the former Bock Engineered Products on North Summit Street in North Toledo from about 1981 to about 1986, when he and his wife moved to Laguna Beach, Calif.

While in California, he was plant manager for James Hardie Irrigation at the nearby Laguna Niguel, Calif. from 1988 to 1991.

“Dave was a type of person who — when he ran his business — believed in keeping it small and keeping it simple and enjoying life,” Jack Reilly, a childhood friend and former employee, said.

“When it came to work, he never bit off more than he could chew and was very understanding and would always give people the benefit of the doubt.... He was very quiet, with a good sense of humor, and very smart,” Mr. Reilly said.

Born Jan. 28, 1963 in Toledo to Marcia and William Frank, he graduated in 1981 from Bowsher High School, where he played varsity football.

Mr. Frank then went to Terra Technical College in Fremont, graduating with an associate’s degree in welding in 1982 and later continued his education at the University of Toledo, graduating in 1988 with a business degree.

In 1987, he married Robin Johnson. They raised two sons together.

In his free time, Mr. Frank enjoyed coaching his sons in soccer when they were younger and traveling with them as they played travel soccer.

He also liked taking his family on vacations and walking his dogs.

Along with his wife Robin Frank; surviving are his sons, Tyler and Trevor Frank, and sister, Sharon Black.

There will be no funeral services, per Mr. Frank’s wishes.

Arrangements are by the Cremation Society of Toledo.

The family suggests tributes to a charity of the donor’s choice. 

First Published April 12, 2022, 4:00 a.m.