Dear Frankly Friends,
It is with profound sadness that I share the news with you that my beloved husband, Frank Thomas passed away peacefully on the 17th March 2021 in Celebration, FL, USA, having suffered a heart attack on our daily walk.
It was 58 years earlier, to the day, that he set sail from his native South Africa, to head across the Atlantic toward America in his 25-foot sailboat Banshee with his friend Malcolm Maidwell in an incredible adventure that shaped his life and his enduring philosophy.
Frank lived the American Dream. He loved America and the freedoms and the opportunity that this country provides to everyone. He was an innovator and in America he was able to follow his dreams.
He invented the graphite golf shaft as Chief Design Engineer with Shakespeare Sporting Goods, an invention that was not only was a milestone in golf, but also in the manufacturing of consumer products where strength and lightweight is important.
He then joined the United States Golf Association (USGA) as Technical Director, where he developed the Research and Test Center. He directed the development of almost all the performance standards for golf equipment now used to maintain the integrity of the game enjoyed by so many people around the world. He directed the development of the Indoor Test Range (ITR) to measure golf ball aerodynamics, which is now used industrywide. He also directed the development of GHIN (golf handicap system) as well as redesigning the Stimpmeter now used internationally to measure the speed of greens.
Upon leaving the USGA, Frank started Frankly Golf, a company dedicated to helping golfers. Specializing in putting, he used his years of experience in science and research to design the Frankly Frog Putter and create the Certified Putting Instructor (CPI) Course, now used by eight PGA’s around the world for ongoing education.
Frank loved to help people. He wrote a regular column on our website and in Golf Digest, and had a segment on Golf Channel, answering golfer’s equipment questions for many years.
He loved innovation, nature, adventure, the beauty and evolution of life. No challenge was too great, and he believed that everyone should “Follow their dreams and never give up.”
He is survived by his sister Nora Hill and his children from his first marriage to Wendy Thomas: Joanne Thomas, Ginny Zimmerman, Will Thomas and his grandchildren Colin and Jordan Zimmerman and Alli and Ryan White.
Frank had an amazing life. He was a very kind person and was truly a gentleman. He always saw the good in people. As his wife, I would like to let you know that Frank appreciated and enjoyed all your questions and correspondence through the years and your loyalty and support of our business, Frankly Golf, as we took our dream and made it real.
I will miss Frank terribly. He was the love of my life and my best friend. However, I look forward to working hard to continue Frank’s legacy and helping golfers into the future, which is what I promised him.
If you would like to leave a message below, it would be so nice to hear from you. I will be reading them all individually. Thank you.
Valerie Melvin
franklygolf 
I’m so very sorry to hear this news. I talked with Frank last year for story I was writing and, as always, he was eager to help, friendly and insightful. Golf has lost a real visionary. Valerie, I’m so sorry for your loss. A terrible blow.
Hi Valerie,
Soooooo sorry to hear this news. Sending 🙏🏾🙏🏾🙏🏾 all the way from Maui. If I can help in any way, please let me know.
Aloha,
Lee Sakugawa, PGA
I am so sorry to hear this news. I worked for many years with Frank at the USGA. And I love my Frankly Frogs as it has helped my game so much. Frank was an amazing man and he will long be remembered I will keep you in my prayers as well as Frank.
Dear Valerie,
I am very sorry to learn of Frank’s death. Thank you very much for letting his golfing friends who never met him know of his passing with your elegant essay. I am no athlete and I am not really much of a golfer, but golf has been an important part of my life since I was a little boy. You and Frank became my designated experts in most things about the game — the equipment, the rules, the meaning of the good and quirky pastime. I’m sure that there is still more to learn and I will keep reading and listening to you.
Bill Dale
Bradenton, Florida
Unknown to me as a person but I feel I knew Frank, being of a similar generation his views and insights on golf made a refreshing change to many of today’s. I enjoyed the fact many of today’s ‘so called’ innovations are in fact based on things from the past and all it is application of science. The over riding factor for me was his sense of reality golf is a game played by most socially in incredible surroundings and it is to enjoyed whilst striving to do your best.
My thoughts are with you and your family, missed but never forgotten.
Valeria, so sorry to hear this news. Frank was tremendous, always enjoyed his
expertise in the golf world. Stay strong as you were his rock of joy and more.
Still am using my frog putter, when you and Frank sold it to me in 09.
Sincerely
,
George Blanco
Very sad to hear. Frank spoke with a gentle voice but heard around the golfing world. God Bless him in his Peace. My condolences Valerie. I will truly miss that man.
All of us who love the game loved Frank. We’re “Frankly Friends.”
OMG, Valerie….I am so sorry…May our Lord & Savior keep you in the palm of his hand…
This is a terrible disappointment to me. I am a recent subscriber and I looked forward to his weekly wisdom. I have read his recent book and it has made me a better golfer. I am sorry for your loss Valerie and I will continue to be a loyal supporter of the Frog! God bless.
Valerie,I am so happy for you that you were able to have as many years together with Frank as you did. Treasure the memories that you created together. Frank made tremendous contributions to the world of golf & too many, many people including you as well.The best to you, ValerieGreg Kimball
Sorry for your loss Valerie. Such a great team you made helping golfers and always promoting the game. Thank you for continuing the journey.
Great man, a true gift to the game of golf, thoughts and prayers to all his loved ones, CGG…
I was so sorry to hear of Frank’s passing. I read everything you two wrote each week and was always happy to see my questions answered when I posed them to your Q & A. His books were great and offered common sense about equipment these days. I will miss his thoughts on the game greatly. Prayers to the the Thomas family.
Sad news indeed. I do not recall when I became a Frankly Golf subscriber, but I know it was at least 12, maybe even 16 years ago. I always looked forward to the newsletter and your instructional videos.
Valerie, I am glad to hear you will be continuing the instructional newsletter.
May the Frog be with you, always!