Frank Merl

Frank Harkins Merl, loving husband and father of two, died peacefully on February 25, 2020 surrounded by his family. Frank was born in Atlanta on September 14, 1936 to Milton and Vivian (Harkins) Merl. A proud graduate of Henry G. Grady High School (Class of 1954), Frank earned his Bachelor of Science degree in Mechanical Engineering at Georgia Institute of Technology in 1958 and his Masters of Business Administration degree from Georgia State University in 1964. On April 22, 1967, Frank married his one true love, Nancy C. Underwood, and together they raised two children, Anne and Andy.

Frank was a lifelong mechanical engineer, initially specializing in hardware design on solid fuel rocket engines in Huntsville, AL. When he returned to Atlanta he worked on tool and die designs for Scripto, followed by a 32-year career at John L. Underwood Company as a heating, ventilating, air pollution control and air conditioning equipment vendor. He was a registered professional engineer in Georgia, Tennessee and Alabama, as well as a member of the American Society of Heating, Refrigeration and Air Conditioning Engineers.

Frank was an instrument-rated pilot and enjoyed boating and skiing with family and friends at Lake Lanier. Passionate about scouting, he served as Assistant Scoutmaster for over 25 years, most recently with Troop 232 in northwest Atlanta. He mentored countless young scouts, participating in outdoor adventures such as hikes, campouts, rappelling towers and cooking his famous cobbler by the campfire. Frank enjoyed annual summer vacations with his extended family in Nags Head Beach, NC, as well as numerous fun trips with Nancy in both the U.S. and Europe.

He was a lifelong, active member of Druid Hills Presbyterian Church, where he served in various church governance capacities such as Deacon, Elder and Treasurer. Frank was elected Elder Emeritus in 2014. He was always the first person to greet members and visitors with a smile and handshake as they entered the Church narthex on Sunday mornings. Frank never met a stranger and was always ready for an extended conversation.

Frank will be remembered as a proud native Atlantan, a passionate storyteller, a loving husband, and a dedicated family man. He especially enjoyed his home life, which included family dinners around the table, jigsaw puzzles and extensive yard work, as well as watching Wheel of Fortune, Jeopardy and the Atlanta Braves and Ramblin’ Wreck on television. He was preceded in death by his parents, his infant daughter Susan Rebecca, his sister Charlotte Watters and his brother Lawrence Merl. He is survived by Nancy, his devoted wife of 52 years, his daughter Anne Altizer (Andy), his son Andrew Frank, granddaughter Zoe, and close family friend and soon-to-be daughter-in-law Amanda Gravitt, along with many loving nieces and nephews.

A celebration of Frank’s life was originally planned for March, then re-scheduled to September due to COVID-19 concerns. After further consideration, the family agrees an in-person memorial service is, unfortunately, not currently safe for attendees.

Instead, the family will assemble a memory book to give to Nancy and will include written messages already received from many of Frank’s loved ones, the comments entered on his memorial web page, and letters, cards and notes received by his family.

A beautiful, printed Celebration of Life program was prepared by the fine staff at Frank and Nancy’s beloved Druid Hills Presbyterian Church. Frank’s family would be pleased to send you a copy. Frank was a good and faithful servant, our beloved husband, father, grandfather, Scout Master and friend, and we want to recognize a life well-lived and a job well done.

If you would like to receive a copy of the originally planned memorial service or want to share a cherished memory or special story for Frank’s memory book, please email [email protected] or mail to: The Merl Family at P. O. Box 671741, Marietta, GA 30006.

If desired, a memorial contribution may be made in Frank’s memory to Druid Hills Presbyterian Church, 1026 Ponce de Leon Avenue, Atlanta, GA 30306 or to the Alzheimer’s Association, 225 N. Michigan Avenue, Chicago, IL 60601.