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
I am saddened to hear the sad news of Frank’s passing. Please accept my sincere condolences at this difficult time.
I will miss the drop ins to Anstruther Harbour Office that both you and Frank made when at your Anstruther home.
I am no longer permanently at Anstruther but am doing relief work covering all harbours.
I would hope to see you when you next visit the East Neuk.
Again I am so sorry for your loss.
My thoughts are with you and Frank’s extended family.
With my best wishes
Bob Abercrombie
Valerie,
It has been a privilege and joy to have known and been associated with both of you over the years, and our deepest condolences to you and all the Frankly Frog Family.
Frank was a true gentleman and a great human being, who delighted in his passion to help and impart his knowledge to others. He will be greatly missed.
Alaister and Noreen MacLennan.
Dear Valerie:
Words cannot express the sadness that we all feel in hearing the terrible news of Frank’s untimely passing. His life was taken too soon and the void that created cannot be filed.
There is no need listing his professional accomplishments. They are too numerous and are well know to us all. What is truly lost is his kindness, the desire to help others, the sharing of his immense wisdom and the the mark he made as a true gentlemen.
Meeting both you and Frank after a round of golf at Celebration, in February of 2019, and having a glass of iced tea was such an honor and those photographs will be saved forever.
May God’s grace and peace be with you during this time of sorrow.
Best always,
Ellis Nelson
RIP. Mr Thomas.
Tout nos condoléance.
Thank you for your help in making me a better a better coach.
Stewart et Françoise Graham.
Very sorry to hear about the passing of Frank.
Dear Valerie, it is with great sadness that I hear of the passing of Frank. It has been an honour to have graduated from his CPI course. Be assured that now you and Frank’s children and grandchildren have a special angel in heaven. Frank will continue to guide you, and continue the wonderful program you developed together. My sympathy and prayers. Detty Moore, Crested Butte, Colorado and Dublin, Ireland
Our deepest condolences to you Valerie and prayers for the entire Thomas family today. May Frank’s memory always be a blessing.
May it bring you some comfort that Frank’s lifetime of work will continue to bring pleasure to all who play the game long after today.
We will remember him tomorrow on the first tee with a grateful heart.
I’m so sorry to hear the news of Frank’s passing. I think that you have done and outstanding job of remembering him as a true gentleman.
I met both of you a several years ago at you shop for a lesson and a fitting. I still have the card that you filled out with your suggestions. I do review it from time to time as a refresher. It helps me greatly.
I’ll keep you all in my thoughts and prayers.
George Wright
Marietta, GA
I’m so sorry Valerie to hear about Frank’s passing. I never met Arnold Palmer, Bryon Nelson or Jean Beliveau, but when they passed I was so saddened, they weren’t just icons of the their games, it was more than that; They came across as such sincere gentlemen who were genuinely interested in you. I always felt the same about Frank and for me he fits into that group of honored individuals. I’ve been a huge fan of Frank since his graphite shaft and followed his work in the USGA and then with Frankly Frog. I was easily convinced to buy a Frankly Frog putter several years ago. I truly enjoyed the videos that you and Frank produced and I just can’t imagine not seeing Frank in a video any more. You were clearly his life Valerie, you guys looked so natural together, think about those good times and treasure the memories!
Frank was one of a kind. Brilliant, kind and eager to help anyone. My putting game has improved. I will think of you both every time I putt and I shall miss his encyclopedic knowledge about wildlife and flora. Rest In Peace
Hi valerie, I met both Frank and yourself in Edwin watts in Orlando in Oct 2007. Frank gave me a putting lesson and I duly purchased a frog putter. It was Frank’s prototype centre shafted one for 2008. He had it shortened for me there and then. I have used it ever since and can still hear Frank and yourself talking to me as a I’m over the ball for every putt since. It gives me great confidence as it was fitted to me. I still have the original booklet which Frank autographed and have regripped the putter twice since with frog grips etc. Ever since this time I have waited for and enjoyed my weekly emails from you with video tips, q&a’s etc . I am deeply saddened by the news that he has gone, and glad he didn’t suffer for a long time. He had a great life doing what he enjoyed most each and every day! Please accept my most sincere condolences for your loss. Kind regards Hugh Williams Xx
It is with Great sadness that I read this message…… While I never had the opportunity to meet Frank in person, I will miss him greatly. His, and your contribution to the game of golf has helped many in their adventure and pursuit of this game. My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family during this time……..
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I had the privilege of meeting him at the Boston golf show several years ago. I was impressed not only of his knowledge of golf shafts and putters but his knowledge about everything related to golf. Frank made you feel like you were the most important person in the room when talking to him. Frank left this world a better place. He will be missed. My deepest condolences to his family.
To Valerie and the Frankly golf team once again I read with sadness the loss of Frank he was an inspiration to become a CPI with your organisation and I was so looking forward to meeting him this Summer I know you will keep up the great work and his legacy will prevail Be strong there will be great times ahead one day
Kind regards Craig Rushton
Dear Valerie and the Thomas Family. I am very saddened to hear of Frank’s passing. His “no-nonsense” and “straight talking” approach to golf ball/club performance and claims was always appreciated. You could tell he was there for us. He will be missed.