LAKE GEORGE --- Frank E. Soldwedel
1932-2013
Frank E. Soldwedel, 80, of Lake George, flew his final flight to his home in Heaven on May 9, 2013.
Frank was born in East Hamburg, NY on October 17, 1932 to the late Frank and Anna (Young) Soldwedel.
Frank graduated from Hamburg High School in 1950. He went on to earn his B.S. in Education from the State University of New York at Cortland and his M.S. in Education at Syracuse University. He taught physical education, health and driver education. He retired in 1999 from Warrensburg Central School District, where he taught for 34 years.
Frank married Nancy Van Nortwick on August 7, 1977 in Saranac Lake, NY. They have shared the last 35 years building a beautiful life together.
A proud and patriotic American, Frank served in the United States Army Medical Corps in Germany from 1956-1958. Whenever he saw a veteran, in a restaurant or on the street, Frank would shake his hand and thank him for his service to our country.
One of Frank's passions was flying. After becoming a private pilot, he worked at Courtesy Air Service teaching ground school and flying charter flights and fire runs. He also operated a private scenic floatplane business at local lakes and took hunting and fishing charters to Canada.
Frank loved adventure and the outdoors. He hunted, fished, sailed, skied, motorcycled, golfed and ran in marathons. During summer vacations he traveled around the United States and Canada with his family.
At the age of 73, after working for six years on his Lake George property rebuilding his home and enjoying the woods, he moved on to a new interest. Frank studied to be a ship's engineer and served as an engineer on the tour ship Mohican with the Lake George Steamboat Co.
In addition to his parents, Frank was predeceased by his sister Shirley Kassman.
Frank was extremely dedicated to his children and grandchildren. In addition to his wife Nancy, he is survived by his son Arne F. Soldwedel, his wife Satoko and their children Emi and Kaiya of Anchorage, Alaska, his daughter Jesse J. Ligon and her husband Monty of Murfreesboro, TN and his daughter Heidi V. Montville, her husband Topher and their children Benjamin, Lilly and Ella of Lake George, NY. He is also survived by his sister Shar Gilman and her husband Mike of Rosenberg, TX and his niece Tracey Kassman, her husband John Hocieniec and their daughter Annika of Buffalo, NY.
Frank was passionate about his family, friends, students and country. He leaves behind a legacy of honesty, perseverance and integrity.
There will be no calling hours. A celebration of Frank's life will be held at a later date. Donations may be made to the Warrensburg Scholarship Association, 103 Schroon River Rd., Warrensburg, NY 12885.
Condolences may be mailed to Maynard D. Baker Funeral Home, 11 Lafayette St., Queensbury, NY 12804, or e-mailed through www.bakerfuneralhome.com.