In the words of his son, Scott Coen Hebb; A Renaissance Man, a world traveler, a skilled woodworker, and dedicated husband and family man, Frank E. Hebb (91) passed away peacefully at home in Flower Mound, Texas, on Thursday June 23rd surrounded by his family.
Frank has been a member of the Lewisville Morning Rotary Club since 1996. As an active member through 2019 and as a Honorary Member since. Those that knew Frank well were not surprised to hear that he did not wish people to make a fuss upon his passing. What follows is the obituary prepared by his his son and some Rotary trivia that members will fondly remember him by.
A native New Englander, Frank was born in Boston in 1931. He attended Brookline High School graduating in 1949, and later from Boston University. In 1949 Frank earned the rank of Eagle Scout in the Boy Scouts of America. An honor that few achieve and something that would set him on a course for a near half century career with the BSA.
During his scouting career Frank served as an Assistant Scout Executive in places like Salem, MA, Stamford, Ct., Okinawa, Japan, Stoneham, MA, and New York City. But Frank's penultimate career distinction was being named head of public Relations on the National BSA Staff, first in North Brunswick, NJ, and then at the National BSA Headquarters in Irving, Tx.
Frank's career in Scouting allowed him to meet and work with five United States Presidents. Astronauts Neil Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin, who were part of the three-man crew of Apollo 11 that landed on the Moon in July 1969, as well as members of the entertainment industry like the iconic variety show host Ed Sullivan.
Frank spent more than 50 years in scouting, retiring in 1989. An avid traveler, Frank and his wife Pat began visiting all the lower 48 states in their motor home, logging more than 100,000 miles in the process. They also visited Alaska and Hawaii, and traveled extensively, flying and cruising to countries in Europe, the Far East, including a visit to Russia.
Frank was also very proud of his experiences with Rotary in the Lewisville/Flower Mound area. He was very involved in Memorial, Veterans and Flag Day events in the area. Frank was very proud to earn the Paul Harris Award given to Rotarians who make an impactful contribution to their community.
Aside from his professional accomplishments Frank was most proud of his family. He is survived by his loving wife Patricia Hebb, his son Alan Hebb and his wife Karen of Sanford, Maine. His son Tim Coen, Carrolton, Tx, and his son Scott Coen, Northampton, MA.
Frank was the proud Grandfather to Courtnee Crystal, Round Rock, Tx, Kayla Crystal, Sanford, ME, and Casey Coen, Canton, Ma. Frank also has four Great Grandchildren. Frank was predeceased by his loving wife Barbara Hebb (Bowser), his parents Frank M. Hebb and Honorine Hebb (Silverwood).
Frank requested that there be no formal funeral arrangements. Feel free to make a charitable donation to your local Rotary in Frank's memory.
Speaking of Rotary, members of his Club will fondly recall his favorite club project, the annual Flag Retirement Ceremony. Frank served as the chair for this annual event many times. The photo below is from a 2015 story on our club website. The pandemic has placed a halt to this annual event, so members really treasure the last event we held at the Pine Hills Retirement Center on veterans day 2020.
In addition to the flag retirement ceremony, Frank had served in several capacities, most notably as Club President in 2003-2004. As a world traveler, Frank had visited Rotary clubs throughout the world during those travels, he often shared his appreciation for Rotary and the international flavor all the different cultures contributed to Rotary. Most of all he was everyone's selection as Rotarian of the Year which he received in 2016.
A Rotarians Rotarian, Frank exemplified everything that Rotary membership represents. While our hearts are heavy because he has left us we treasure his memory.
We will fondly remember seeing Frank at almost any club event wearing his Rotary shirt with his classic belt and suspenders. Style police might cringe, but the attire fit his personality perfectly. He was comfortable and he made you feel comfortable just being around him.Several more pages could be written about Franks accomplishments in addition to what is written above. But, here is what was contributed by Mary Jones:
Frank Hebb was a member of various Rotary Clubs for over 50 years. During his time at Lewisville Morning Rotary Club, he served as President. Frank delivered the club's most successful fundraiser, The United States Flag Lease Program, which continues today. This program enlisted the assistance of two local Boy Scouts of America troops thereby earning them a commission on sales of new flag leases as well as a commission on delivering/placing flags in sleeves Rotarians would submerge in the yards of participants and then picking them up. It continues today as a valuable fundraiser for the Boy Scout troops involved.
Frank also developed one of LMR's most honored programs, The United States Flag Retirement Ceremony. Lewisville residents were encouraged to deliver cotton flags that were worn out to club members for use during the flag ceremony and respectful destruction. The program enlisted the participation of community leaders, the Lewisville Police Department Honor Guard, representation of Denton County Veterans Organizations, active duty, veterans and retired members of the United States Military, the Boy Scouts and Girl Scouts in properly retiring the United States Flag. During the program, the community learned a variety of facts about the flag, the stripes, the meaning behind and how to fold the flag, the Four Pieces of Wood used in burning the flag and various readings honoring the meaning of the United States Flag and the men and women who defended it and continue to do so.
Frank wrote the program for Lewisville Morning Rotary's participation of The Walls That Heals while the mobile Veterans Memorial Museum was on tour in Lewisville, Texas May 2-5, 2019, scheduling programs/speeches and activities during it's three day visit.
Frank was honored by Lewisville Morning Rotary over and over receiving it's highest awards including Rotarian of the Year, Four Way Test, Champion of Rotary, and Outstanding Achiever.
Frank was an incredible influence over the club and it's members. He is already greatly missed by the membership and the many friends who knew him as family.
