Frank Michael

Frank "Bill" Winfield Michael, 89, of Fort Collins, died Feb. 18, 2008, at a local nursing home. Mr. Michael was born June 28, 1918, in Nashua, Iowa, to Harry J. Michael and Laura M. Michael. He attended elementary and school I Pomeroy, Iowa. Bill briefly attended Colorado A & M and then continued his engineering with the E.I. Dupont de Nemours Company, where he was later employed. He also worked for the U.S. Army Engineers in the Manhattan District, which was the initial development of atomic energy and the atomic bomb. He was a veteran serving in the U.S. Navy. Bill married F. Lorraine Wells on May 24, 1964; she precedes him in death. During his business career, he was the president of Michael Equipment Company, Michael Leasing Inc., Larimer County Equipment, Cooper Real Estate and Development, Michael Rambler and Cooper Motors. He owned the North Park Motel and was a partner in Cooper Michael Motors. Bill also held many offices. He was president of the Fort Collins United Fund, Fort Collins Chamber of Commerce, Fort Collins Recreation Commission, Fort Collins Regional Planning and Zoning Board, American Legion, George Beach Post #4, Home Association, Poudre Valley District Boy Scouts of America, Longs Peak Council Boy Scouts of America, Poudre Valley Hospital. He was the Exalted Ruler of the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, #804. Bill was a national board member of the Boy Scouts of America and an elder at First Presbyterian Church. Mr. Michael also was responsible for raising funds for the First Presbyterian Church Sanctuary, Foothill Gateway, Ben Delatour Boy Scout Ranch, City Park Swimming Pool and Poudre Valley Hospital. He also was awarded Fort Collins Community Builder Award, Fort Collins Chamber of Commerce Citizen of the Year, BPOE. Survivors include his three daughters, Patricia J. Wells of Greeley, Becki Johnson Dan of Kersey and Carole J. Wells Don Shepherd of Calgary, Alberta, Canada; two grandchildren, Debbie Frei and Susan Ivie; two great-grandchildren, Cassie Allman and Nick Moore; a great-great grandchild, Naomi Faith Allman; a niece, Mary Ellen Carlisle; and a nephew, Michael Cabaniss. Preceding Frank "Bill" in death are his parents, his wife, a brother, Glen, and sisters, Ruth, Daphne and Lorraine. A memorial service will be at 10 a.m. Monday at First Presbyterian Church. Contributions may be made to the Longs Peak Council of the Boy Scouts of America, in care of Bohlender Funeral Chapel. Friends may send condolences to the family at www.bohlenderfuneralchapel.com