Trine mourns loss of Dr. Larry Franks, namesake of Franks School of Education

STURGIS, Mich. — Trine University is mourning the loss of Dr. Lawrence A. (Larry) Franks, alumnus and member and former chair of the university Board of Trustees.

Dr. Franks, the namesake for Trine’s Franks School of Education, died Sunday, July 9. He was 89.

“Dr. Franks was representative of a generation of Trine University students who served their country, went on to complete their education here and became leaders and innovators in business and industry,” said Dr. Rick L. James, president of Trine’s Board of Trustees. “The wisdom he brought to the Trine University Board of Trustees from his many experiences will be greatly missed.”

“Larry was chair of the board that brought me to Trine University, and I am grateful for his support and friendship over these many years,” said Earl D. Brooks II, Ph.D., university chancellor. “He has generously given of his time, talent and treasure to provide many other students the opportunity he had, through education at Trine, to gain the knowledge and skills to succeed, lead and serve.”

“Through his support of teacher education at Trine University, Dr. Franks leaves a tremendous legacy,” said Tony Kline, Ph.D., vice president for academic affairs and former dean of the Franks School of Education. “His positive impact has not only been felt by Trine students, but by students in many elementary, middle and high school classrooms whose teachers received excellent preparation through the Franks School of Education.”

Worldwide industry impact

Following four years of service in the United States Air Force, Dr. Franks enrolled at Tri-State College, now Trine University, graduating with his Bachelor of Science in mechanical engineering in 1959. Soon after graduation, he became the first design engineer at his family’s business, Burr Oak Tool and Gauge Company.

His Tri-State education helped him design and market new equipment for the HVAC industry. He holds 10 patents.

Ten years after he was hired, the company workforce had grown from 19 to 120 and the company had become a world leader in the production of machine tools for the HVAC industry. In 1985, Dr. Franks took the helm of the company, serving as president for more than 20 years.

By the time he retired in 2010, the company had machines in more than 70 countries, many of which were sold directly by him. The Oak companies by that time had a combined 400 employees.

Today, Burr Oak continues to manufacture machine tool product parts at its operations in Sturgis, Michigan. Through the years, the company has employed many Trine graduates.

Distinguished Alumnus, Pillar of Success

In 1981, Trine University recognized Dr. Franks with its Distinguished Alumnus Award, given each year to an alumnus/ae who has performed outstanding service to society in his or her profession, personal achievement or community; and who has manifest interest in Trine University and has supported it by contributions of time, talent and money; by recruitment of students; or by placement of graduates.

He has served as a member of the university’s Board of Trustees since 1984 and served as chair from 1999-2000. The university awarded him an honorary doctorate in engineering in 2001.

In 2005, Trine University recognized his and his family’s support of education by naming the Franks School of Education in their honor. That school is now one of the fastest-growing education schools in the state, almost tripling in size from 82 students in fall 2016 to 235 in fall 2022.

The school also has continued its record of 100% employment for its graduates seeking teaching positions, now spanning 11 years.

In 2007, the Franks Conference Suite inside Sponsel Administration Building was named in his honor.

Dr. Franks received Trine’s Pillar of Success Award, which recognizes individuals for their achievements and accomplishments, leadership, service, philanthropy, commitment to their community and profession, and to Trine University, at the 2010 Homecoming celebration.

Extensive community involvement

His community memberships have included the Sturgis Chamber of Commerce, Sturgis Historical Society, Arden Park School Parent-Teacher Association, Sturgis United Fund and the United Methodist Church Board of Trustees. As a dedicated member of Kiwanis International, he has served as president and division lieutenant governor. In addition, he was a member of the feasibility study that recommended the building of Glen Oaks Community College.

He was the retired chair of the Sturgis Bankcorp Board and served on the Burr Oak Tool and Press Systems boards until his death. A world-class big game hunter, he owned Kikuyu Lodge Game Reserve in South Africa.