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 
Valerie, So sorry to hear of Frank’s passing. Years of being a Frankly Friend made me feel that I knew you and Frank. My prayers are with you.
Valerie – Everyone here at OnCore was saddened to learn of Frank’s passing. I recall with great pleasure his and your very early involvement with me and the hollow metal core ball technology. Frank was a terrific resource who guided us through some significant challenges and I will be forever grateful for his help. I still have the frog you and he gave me years ago and it sits on my desk as a reminder of our friendship!
Valerie
My profound sympathies for your loss. I’ll remember fondly our annual meetings at the PGA show, and all the insight I would come away with as a result seeing you both. Frank was a visionary and incredibly generous man, and the entire game we share, has lost a giant.
Dave Lucas
Valerie, I’m so sad to hear this. Frank was such a great guy. I interviewed him on CNBC several times whenever we broadcast from US Open sites because of his knowledge of the game and, of course, the evolution of golf equipment — which he had a profound impact on. He was always so cheerful. My sincerest condolences to you and to his children.
Bill Griffeth
That is heartbreaking news, Valerie. Over several years I have enjoyed the weekly Q&A provided by Frank and the joint contributions from you both.
We all owe him a huge debt for his innovations to the game we love.
My sincere condolescences for the loss of your wonderful husband.
So sorry to hear this.
I had the pleasure of meeting Frank and he was someone that I admired.
Rest in peace Sir, you will be missed.
Sorry for your loss Valerie, he was a great guy
I am so sorry to hear about your loss. I’m staring at Frank’s book on putting, thinking about the many times I’ve gone back to it to give me the confidence I need while on the green. His legacy will live will be with me and so many others he helped through his long illustrious life.
So sorry for your loss. You have my deepest sympathy and prayers.
I enjoyed Frank’s and your emails and putting book. The information is very helpful to my game, it is explained so even I can incorporate the concepts.
Thank you so much, Dan
That is really sad news, the frankly putter has changed my game RIP !
Dear Valerie,
We are so saddened to hear about your loss. It was far too early.
Please take good care of yourself. I hope we will meet again soon.
Rita & Gisle
Very sorry for your loss, Valerie. Frank helped so many of us with our golf games (especially putting).
Dear Valerie:
This is simply crushing news. I am so saddened to hear of Frank’s passing and I extend my heartfelt condolences to you and the rest of your family over this tremendous loss. I have so enjoyed being part of the frankly golf community over these last several years and have looked forward to the emails and related articles that Frank and you promulgated. This is such a loss to the golf community and beyond. I trust you will honor his legacy and continue on with the good work you and your crew have been doing for these many years. May he rest in peace.
Dan Nixon
Hi Valerie, so very sad to learn of Frank’s passing, Stephanie and I wish you all the strength you can muster in the coming days. Frank was a delight to know and a proud “South African” Our condolences to you.
Sincerely
David Glasser
To the Thomas family. I am shocked and saddened at the news of Frank’s passing. I have followed Frankly Golf for a number of years now and always enjoyed his insight and knowledge of the game. I am very sorry for your loss Valerie and to the Thomas family. He was a gentleman and may he rest in peace.
My condolences on your loss. May God’s peace surround you and the family.
Randy Bagwell