Steve passed away peacefully surrounded by family on Sunday, September 8th in St. Louis, MO after a long, brave battle with Alzheimer’s disease. Loving husband of Mary (McDonald) Frank, father of Emily Frank (Scott Bergmann), Kevin (Katrina) and Steven A. (Molly) Frank; and grandfather of Grady, Henry, Charlie and Ernie; brother, brother-in-law, cousin, uncle, great uncle and dear friend to many.
Steve was born 1948 in St. Louis, MO to Matthew and Louise Frank. He grew up in the Carondelet area of South St Louis City with his siblings, Dorothy, Joyce and Matthew. It was at Immaculate Heart of Mary, around 4th/5th grade, that Steve started playing soccer. Supported by the parish, his 1964-65 team competed in a national Junior Cup tournament. Representing the greater St. Louis area, the “IHM” boys, most traveling for their first time by plane, defeated teams in Chicago, Milwaukee, San Francisco, and won the national title in Philadelphia.
A proud product of a Jesuit education, Steve was a man for others. Graduating from Bishop DuBourg High School in 1966, Steve enrolled in Saint Louis University as a first-generation university student on an athletic scholarship. In his three seasons starting for SLU, the Billikens won two NCAA Championships (1967, 1969). Steve was honored as an All-American in 1968, and his contributions continue to be celebrated today as and inductee into the SLU Athletic Hall of Fame (1995) and with his name adorning the SLU Soccer Facility men’s locker room.
Steve earned a spot with the U.S. Men’s National Team in 1973 and signed with his hometown St. Louis Stars in the North American Soccer League. One of the many highlights from his six seasons with the Stars (especially if you ask his grandkids) was defeating Pele’s New York Cosmos in 1975. Retiring from professional soccer at the conclusion of the 1975 season, Steve was later inducted into the St. Louis Soccer Hall of Fame in 2001.
Steve credited soccer for the opportunities of education and travel and the lifelong fellowship it provided with dear friends. His name was submitted by SLU’s athletic director for a NCAA sport’s postgraduate scholarship, granting him financial support to attend SLU’s Law School and providing the foundation for Steve’s 25 years of private practice (Peper, Martin, Jensen, Maichel & Hetledge, then Shiffrin & Treimann) and corporate counsel (Ralston Purina and McDonnell Douglas). Steve participated in the merger of McDonnell Douglas with Boeing in 1997, co-founded ZeaVision, and finally discovered Plancorp where—as partner for 23 years—he helped the company grow from just 7 to over 80 employees.
Passionate in his faith, about social Justice and the St. Louis community Steve was a regular volunteer at St. Francis College Church of Saint Louis University, he served on the Board of the Habitat for Neighborhood Business program, and he supported the St. Patrick Center in St. Louis. Steve will be remembered by so many for his sportsmanship, integrity, legal/business acumen, kindness, and compassion.
With the incredible care and assistance provided by the Dolan House staff, Steve battled dementia and physical ailments of Alzheimer disease with his unique grace and fortitude. His spirit was lifted by all of you that visited and supported him.
To the benefit of medical science and Alzheimer’s research, Steve’s body has been donated to the SLU School of Medicine and his brain to the Washington University Memory and Aging Research Project.
A visitation will be held from 3:00-7:00pm on Friday, September 20, 2024, at Kutis Funeral home at 10151 Gravois Rd., St. Louis, MO 63123. A memorial mass will be held on Saturday, September 21, 2024 at 11:00 am at St. Francis Xavier “College” Church, 3628 Lindell Blvd., St, Louis, MO 63108
Donations in his memory may be made to: St. Francis Xavier “College” Church Social Ministry, 3628 Lindell Blvd. St. Louis, MO 63108; the Steven N. Frank Family Award, C/O Saint Louis University and Habitat for Neighborhood Business, 221 North Grand Ave., Dubourg Hall #308, St, Louis, MO 63103; or St. Patrick’s Center, 800 N Tucker Blvd. St. Louis, MO 63101.
More than a dozen years ago, Steve and I met for lunch through a mutual freind when he discovered our Habitat for Neighborhood Business program at Saint Louis University. During that lunch Steve immediately volunteered to become our Legal Expert and several years later succeeded me as our Board Chair. As they say, the rest was history and with his help the program flourished, especially through the Pandemic.
Steve and Mary, including my wife Ann, soon became personal friends, and we discovered we had many common values around serving others less fortunate. Perhaps the most significant was Steve’s interest in a new program that brought SLU students and minority entrepreneurs together and eventually the family created a program that now bears the family’s name.
Steve was a special man and we will do our best to keep his spirit of service alive. Rest in peace my friend.
I got to know Mr. Frank after becoming fraternity brothers and close friend of his son, Kevin. Kevin and I studied abroad together in Rome, Italy. Mr. Frank and Mary were always so kind to me and made me feel right at home whenever we saw them. I feel lucky to have met Mr. Frank and become close with Kevin and the family. The entire Frank family is in my thoughts and prayers. An impactful life, very well lived, that affected many in a very positive way!
I am so sorry for your loss. Steve helped me during a very difficult time in my life while I was attending a weekend retreat at Sister’s of St. Ignatious in 2014. He had a keen mind and a huge heart. He sat and listened to me compassionately and was so kind and thoughtful. I will never forget him and will do my best to carry on his message of service to others. He was a great man.
Steve and I often laughed together because I would often call him Frank instead of Steve. It became a habit for me. I think it mostly was because I just loved to see his smile and hear him saying, “Oh, that’s okay, I get that a lot.
We first met at a Bridges Program when we were paired up to share our faith with it other. Needless to say I was so inspired by him that I still remember what he shared.
His soul filled with love lives on.
My wife and I met Steve through a JustFaith group at College Church that he wonderfully helped lead about 10 years ago. Like many others in the group, we got to know Steve a little more each week. Kind. Strong. Humble. Thoughtful. Quiet leader. Wish he would have said more about himself! We were so fortunate to be on his “team,” to walk along the same path with him. We remember the stories he did share were often about his growing family.
Steve Frank played many important roles in my life, as he did for so many others.
Steve and I met thru a mutual friend, Tom Gunn, when we were all working for McDonnell Douglas. At that time Steve was legal counsel guiding so many of us thru international marketing issues. Soon after the Boeing merger Steve became part of Plancorp, and was a valued source of planning and guidance to me and my family.
Several years ago, Steve and I were at lunch talking about our good fortune and interest in helping the less fortunate. Steve was actively engaged in many activities but when I mentioned Habitat for Neighborhood Business and its mission of helping small businesses in underserved communities, he immediately wanted to know how he could participate. Steve often talked of the satisfaction he found in helping the less fortunate and importantly, was always clear that the strength of his commitment came thru his faith.
Steve Frank was an important part of our lives; he inspired and guided us. Steve will be greatly missed.
I met Steve when he was with Shifrin. We were working on some banking issues and his counsel was spot on We remained friends and when our bank holding company was looking to add directors I asked Steve if he would be interested, he accepted. Steve was a phenomenal advisor, counselor and mentor for me and the bank management team. His advice was always professional, strategic and thorough. Steve always made time for me to discuss banking, legal or personal concerns. I worked with Steve, Larry LaGrande and the PlanCorp team on my mom’s estate as well. The world is too short of guys like Steve. A nasty disease took a good and faithful man way too soon. My thanks to his family for sharing him with me. My prayers for peace are with Steve’s family and friends.
Dear Mary and family, we were sorry to hear of Steve’s passing. We always enjoyed his warm greetings and company. Fun conversations about the times at DuBourg high school and SLU. Hearing about all your travels and adventures was a treat and lead us down paths we may not have taken. We will miss Steve but he is at peace. May God’s love give you peace.
I will be unable to attend the services but Patrick will be at the mass. Love and prayers,
Regret not being in STL at this time. Remembering a genuine gentleman & fervent competitor, who I am proud to call teammate. Enjoyed having each other’s back on the pitch… defending for IHM, SLU, and Kutis.
Blessings on Mary & family!
Dear Mary & family, I’m sorry for your loss but you can be so proud of his achievements & generosity.
I have known Steve from school days at Bishop DuBourg HS and St.Louis University. He was always a gentleman and a leader. I know he will be missed. Love, Mary W. Dobbins
To the Frank Family, I’m so sorry for your loss. I wish I could have been at the service last weekend. Steve was a great mentor in my days at Plancorp…he always had wise advice to share and was willing to do so. Shortly after my dad passed, I remember Steve taking time to sit down with me and provide some very kind, comforting words. It meant a lot. I hope you all find peace knowing that he is at peace.