Frank Howard Christopher

Frank H. Christopher, 92, former newspaper reporter and PA Legislative staffer, died on August 1, 2015. He was the son of Mr. & Mrs. Nicholas Christopher of Wilkinsburg, PA. A Pittsburgh native, Christopher graduated from Wilkinsburg High School in 1940, just prior to enlisting into the U.S. Marine Corps for a six year stint. His military service as a radio operator took him from the Navy Department, in Washington, D.C., to the Caribbean, to the South Pacific, and to the occupation of Japan. Following his honorable discharge, he enrolled in Duquesne University to study journalism. During his enrollment, Christopher met and married Marion F. Nicoll, a registered nurse. His wife passed away in 1997 ending a 49 year marriage and loving relationship. After graduation, Christopher embarked on a fifteen year career as a reporter with the Pittsburgh Press. As a reporter, he interviewed Presidents Kennedy and Johnson, Attorney General Robert Kennedy, Martin Luther King, Senator Barry Goldwater, The Rifleman, Chuck Connors, Jack Benny, Pirates Manager Danny Murtaugh, Roberto Clemente, ace-relief pitcher Elroy Face, golfers Arnold Palmer, Jack Nicklaus, and Lee Trevino, boxer Cassius Clay (Muhammad Ali) and Jack Ruby's best stripper Jada - among other notables. One of his favorite assignments was covering the Pittsburgh Pirates vs the New York Yankees final game of the 1960 World Series in which Bill Mazeroski hit the winning home run at old Forbes Field in Pittsburgh, PA. Moreover, he played first base at exhibition games for the Pirates and the Pittsburgh Press at Forbes Field. Christopher was a stringer for Time Magazine. His article written about Arnold Palmer was published in Time magazine. Additionally, he reported on the 1962 U.S. Open at Oakmont Country Club, was an avid golfer, and enjoyed watching it on television. Christopher spent brief periods with the Public Information Office at the Allegheny County and Pennsylvania Bar Association before joining the Democratic staff at the PA House Education Committee. He retired in 1991 as Executive Director of the House Education Committee. During his retirement, Christopher was a volunteer at Holy Spirt Hospital and served on the Board of the Harrisburg Council U.S. Navy League and wrote for its newsletter. For the past six years, he was a resident at Homeland Center in Harrisburg, PA. He is survived by a son, Martin Paul Christopher, of Hampton Township; two daughters, Mrs. Marilyn Garis, of Jacksonville, FL and Ms. Donna Antolick, of Lancaster, PA; five grandchildren; two great-grandsons, plus twin great-grandsons on the way, and his brother Robert Christopher, of Fair Oaks, CA. Funeral Service will be held 12:00 PM Saturday, August 8, 2015 in the Neill Funeral Home, 3401 Market St., Camp Hill. Burial will be in Resurrection Cemetery. A viewing will be held at 11:00 AM Saturday at the funeral home until the time of the service.

In lieu of flowers, please donate to your favorite charity or read a great book in Frank's honor.