FRANKE

Robert J. Franke, 82, of Pinehurst, died Monday, Oct. 1, 2012, at his home.
A celebration of his life will be held at 10 a.m. Friday, Oct. 5, at the Pinehurst Fair Barn.
Mr. Franke was born March 30, 1930, in Baltimore, to the late Otto and Roberta Franke. He grew up surrounded by music and played violin in the family quartet.
After graduation from Haverford College, he married, was drafted into the U.S. Army, and completed his military service in Heidelberg, Germany. He began his business career selling life insurance, then earned his CPA degree and worked briefly in accounting before returning to insurance as a broker, concentrating on corporate insurance.
Mr. Franke retired from Alexander & Alexander (now AON) in 1993 and set up his own insurance consulting business, which he continued until recently.
He will be remembered as someone who loved getting friends together, particularly for golf outings and for trips, both here and abroad. He was a member of the Country Club of North Carolina, Pinehurst Country Club, National Golf Club, Baltusrol Golf Club in New Jersey, and Secession Golf Club in South Carolina.
Mr. Franke is survived by his wife, Joyce; his daughter Elizabeth (Beth) Stevens and husband, Ted, of Orlando, Fla.; his son, Robert Edward (Ned) and wife, Jean, of Chicago; his brother, Lehn, and wife, Johannah, of Boulder, Colo.; and five grandchildren, Bradley and Alex Stevens, and Emilie, Cecile and William Franke.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be sent to the Village Heritage Foundation, P.O. Box 398, Pinehurst, NC 28370, for the Village Arboretum Project; or to FirstHealth Hospice Foundation, 150 Applecross Road, Pinehurst, NC 28374.
Online condolences may be made at www.bolesfuneralhome.com.
Boles Funeral Home of Southern Pines is serving the family.