Frank Andrew Sherwood Jr.

Frank A. Sherwood, 96, of St. Clair Shores, Michigan, died peacefully in his sleep on the morning of Sunday, August 23. He was a beloved father, grandfather, and friend whose intelligence, integrity, curiosity, and compassion shaped the lives of the people fortunate enough to know him.

He was born in Detroit, Michigan, on July 3, 1930, to Charlotte and Frank Sokolitz. Charlotte had immigrated from Hungary at age five, and Frank Sr. was born in Cleveland, Ohio. Frank grew up in the Delray neighborhood as an only child within a close-knit extended family.

The first in his family to attend college, Frank worked for two and a half years as a structural steel draftsman with the F.W. Mueller office. There, he developed a love of engineering and saved his money to pay for college. He went on to earn a Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering (BSCE) and a Master of Science in Civil Engineering (MSCE) from the University of Michigan. He belonged to the Phi Kappa Phi Honorary Society and became a registered civil engineer and licensed professional structural engineer in the state of Michigan. He was named as an inventor on three U.S. patents related to automotive powertrain and suspension design.

In 1956, Frank’s mother convinced him to change his last name in order to pursue greater opportunities in the engineering field. He chose the name Sherwood from the local phone book.

Frank began his career at General Motors Corporation, where he spent eight years doing advanced vehicle research, stress analysis, and computer programming. His work included the development of suspension systems for GM’s pioneering front-wheel-drive vehicle program. In 1966, he co-authored “Structure and Suspension for the Front Wheel Drive Vehicle Concept,” published in the General Motors Engineering Journal. The program ultimately produced the 1966 Oldsmobile Toronado and 1967 Cadillac Eldorado.

His work at GM included innovations in engine and transmission support, suspension systems, and leaf-spring alignment. He also contributed to the development of advanced suspension concepts for the 1969 GM XP-511 Commuter Car, an experimental three-wheeled concept vehicle.

One family favorite from Frank’s GM years was the story of riding in the passenger seat during a Corvette test drive when the brakes failed. With no seat belts in the car, Frank was understandably terrified – a memorable reminder that pioneering automotive engineering sometimes came with a little more excitement than expected.

He then worked for eight years as a Structural Engineer with Tarapata MacMahon Paulsen Associates (TMP) before spending the final 20 years of his career with Giffels & Associates in Southfield. Over the course of his career, he served as a structural designer for the U.S. Army, U.S. Navy, IBM, General Motors, Toyota, Ford, Chrysler, Caterpillar, GE, Delta Air Lines, Princeton University, the University of Michigan, and others.

His engineering projects included airplane hangars, bridges, nuclear reactors, tunnels, hospitals, high-rise buildings, and automotive assembly plants. His work left a tangible mark on structures and institutions throughout Michigan. Though most of his work was in Michigan, his engineering career also took him to Hawaii on a work assignment which was a highlight.

At the age of 44, Frank had a spiritual experience that transformed his life. In his words, “…he took God’s hand and walked with Him the rest of his life.” From that time forward, he found many ways to serve his family and friends while living out his mission to pass on the gratitude he felt toward God.

In retirement, he combined his compassionate heart and problem-solving skills to investigate whether diet could help people suffering from trigeminal neuralgia, a rare and often debilitating neurological condition. After seeing significant improvement in his own health and witnessing a friend’s dramatic improvement from the disease, he developed a low-saturated-fat dietary approach and began sharing it with others. He eventually helped more than 100 people pursue the diet and was invited to present his findings at the American Academy of Neurology’s 2012 annual meeting. His research conducted with neurologist Dr. Narayan Verma was subsequently published in the Open Journal of Preventative Medicine under the title “Low Saturated Fat Diet is Effective in Trigeminal Neuralgia.” The study examined 55 patients and reported significant improvement in pain among many participants with 72% of those taking medication reducing or discontinuing their medications. For Frank, this work was another expression of his lifelong instinct to solve problems and use what he learned to help others.

Frank met Doris Howe (now Adair) during his final year of college, and they fell in love. They married after her graduation a year later, on September 10, 1960. They had a home built in Warren to begin their family and, a few years later, purchased what Frank affectionately called “a handyman’s delight” in Birmingham, where they raised their growing family.

After divorcing in 1977, Frank found the love of his life 10 years later with Dorothy Churukian. Their joy in dating one another lasted for 25 years as they traveled throughout the Midwest to enjoy five-star restaurant dining. In 2012, he and Doris reconciled and

became good friends. Later, Frank relocated to St. Clair Shores to be closer to his youngest son.

Frank enjoyed remodeling, fixing things, and taking on projects of all kinds. He built a full-scale addition, including a bedroom and bathroom, for his aging mother to move in with him. Ever resourceful, he scavenged bricks from a local elementary school that was being demolished to use in the foundation.

He took up golf in his 50s and enjoyed playing once a week throughout retirement, always looking for ways to improve his swing and master the mental aspect of the game.

Frank was a wonderful storyteller and had a knack for getting people to open up and share their stories with him. He made instant connections by finding common ground with nearly everyone he met. His positivity was legendary. He accepted whatever came his way with grace and understanding, setting an example for everyone who crossed his path.

He never forgot a birthday or holiday, sending special cards to the people he loved. Although spelling was not his strong suit, he always made the effort to write personal messages filled with love and admiration—messages his family will cherish always.

His children lined up for his advice from adolescence through adulthood. He was always in their corner, celebrating their accomplishments and supporting them in their sorrows. He never told them directly what to do; instead, he guided them in a gentle but firm way, reminding them of God’s love and provision, using his own life as an example for them to follow.

Frank is survived by his children, Phillip Sherwood and his wife, Grace Sherwood; Valerie Cady; Richard Sherwood and his wife, Simona Sherwood; and David Sokolitz; his grandchildren, Juliet (Joseph), William, Schuyler, Kurt, Kenneth, Katelyn (Quinn), Talia, and Charlotte; and his longtime best friend, Balraj Nijhon. He was preceded in death by his parents, his daughter-in-law, Christa Sokolitz, and his devoted cousin, Dolly Kovacs.

His family will remember Frank for the way he made them feel loved, supported, and connected. He influenced many people and touched many lives, leaving behind a legacy of intelligence, faith, curiosity, kindness, and love.

We will always carry him in our hearts.

Frank’s family will gather privately to remember and celebrate his life. In lieu of flowers, those wishing to honor Frank’s memory may make a memorial contribution to the Facial Pain Research Foundation dedicated to finding a cure for trigeminal neuralgia and related facial pain.