Obituary of
Drechsler, Frank Joseph
Frank Joseph Drechsler of Carrollton, Texas passed away on Saturday, November 25, 2017 at the age of 90.
He was born in the small town of Dunellen, New Jersey in 1927, the fourth child of Sophie and Frank Drechsler who had emigrated from Poland. Frank’s siblings Rose, John and Isabel have preceded him, but he is survived by sons, Tom and Rob, and daughter, Cari.
After completion of high school, Frank joined the Navy, entered the flight training program and received his wings at Pensacola in September, 1947. He served as a dive bomber and fighter pilot until December 1949 aboard the aircraft carrier Coral Sea as part of the European Occupational Forces. After his discharge, he attended Drexel University and received his degree in Civil Engineering in 1954. While at Drexel he served as editor of the University newspaper and continued to fly as a member of the Naval Reserve.
In April of 1953, after meeting her on a blind date in Philadelphia, he married Helen Setzer, a native of Janesville, Wisconsin, who had been attending Moore Institute of Art in Philadelphia. Upon graduation, he was recruited by Caltex Petroleum Corporation and the two spent sixteen years overseas in Hong Kong, Pakistan, Ceylon, Malaya, Okinawa and Thailand. They returned to the US in 1970, where he worked in New York City until the company relocated to Dallas in 1982. Frank continued to travel extensively in Asia and Africa, retiring in 1988 as the VP of Marketing Operations with 34 years of service.
The Drechslers lived in Nob Hill, Carrollton where their yard was a show piece for the neighborhood before moving to Lakewood at Josey Ranch in 2010.
Frank was a keen golfer and bridge player. He learned to enjoy scuba diving later in life, while volunteering at the Dallas World Aquarium where he volunteered for ten years. After Helen passed away in 2010, Frank joined the Carrollton Citizen Police Academy Alumni Association (CCAAA) as a volunteer and served there until his passing, garnering recognition for his service and volunteer of the year award for 2016. In addition, he joined the Ambassador group at DFW airport in 2011, assisting travelers.
The family will be receiving visitors for viewing and visitation beginning at 12:00 noon to 2:00 pm in the Brooks Family Chapel of the North Dallas Funeral Home, 2710 Valley View Lane, Farmers Branch, Texas 75234.
Celebration of Life service will begin at 2:00 pm following the visitation at the funeral home.
In lieu of flowers, please consider donating to one of Dad's favorite organizations, the CCPAAA. Go to the website https://www.ccpaaa.org/store.html and half way down on the right you will find a PayPal icon to use.
Please leave the family condolences and share memories on this website.
Tribute Wall of Drechsler, Frank Joseph
We have thoroughly enjoyed Frank’s Christmas newsletters over the years—always the first to be received—and have marveled at his active retirement. You don’t know how many times we’ve said that we want to be like Frank! It just won’t be the same this Christmas without him. Our deepest condolences to Tom, Rob and Cari. We are so blessed to have known your folks.
Jill Piasecki
Thursday October 13, 2022
We have thoroughly enjoyed Frank's Christmas newsletters over the years---always the first to be received---and have marveled at his active retirement. You don't know how many times we've said that we want to be like Frank! It just won't be the same this Christmas without him. Our deepest condolences to Tom, Rob and Cari. We are so blessed to have known your folks.
We lived across the street from Frank and Helen in Nob Hill/Carrollton in the 80s. We built about the same time and I recall Frank deciding to build a fence rather than pay to have it done. By the time he was done, he had paid two utility companies to come out and fix things. For this, we awarded him the Golden Shovel Award! Couldn’t have asked for nicer neighbors. Love ya, Frank.
Jill & Rich Piasecki
Thursday October 13, 2022
We lived across the street from Frank and Helen in Nob Hill/Carrollton in the 80s. We built about the same time and I recall Frank deciding to build a fence rather than pay to have it done. By the time he was done, he had paid two utility companies to come out and fix things. For this, we awarded him the Golden Shovel Award! Couldn't have asked for nicer neighbors. Love ya, Frank.
I got to know Frank through our involvement with CCPAA. We patrolled together for some years, I being Frank’s designated driver. He was very dedicated and meticulous, always willing to undertake every challenge to the best of his ability. It was a honor to know Frank and to call him my friend.
Alan Shepperd
Thursday October 13, 2022
I got to know Frank through our involvement with CCPAA. We patrolled together for some years, I being Frank’s designated driver. He was very dedicated and meticulous, always willing to undertake every challenge to the best of his ability. It was a honor to know Frank and to call him my friend.
I had the honor of driving Frank in the Dallas Veterans Day Parade for the last 3 years. Frank lived just down the street from us, in Carrollton, and I so enjoyed getting to know him as we crept along in the parades. I sure will miss him each November!
Robert Shellberg
Thursday October 13, 2022
I had the honor of driving Frank in the Dallas Veterans Day Parade for the last 3 years. Frank lived just down the street from us, in Carrollton, and I so enjoyed getting to know him as we crept along in the parades. I sure will miss him each November!
Frank was one of a kind – it has been an honor (and a lot of fun) to have known him since our Honor Flight trip. Frank was so smart and had such a sharp wit – I always looked forward to our excursions around town. I will surely miss him…..
Joan Patmore
Thursday October 13, 2022
Frank was one of a kind - it has been an honor (and a lot of fun) to have known him since our Honor Flight trip. Frank was so smart and had such a sharp wit - I always looked forward to our excursions around town. I will surely miss him.....