Arthur Frank

1933 – 2023

Dr. Arthur Frank passed away on Thursday, March 30, 2023 at his home in Pennington at the age of 90. He was a noted composer and music teacher.

Born on February 22, 1933 in Brooklyn, NY to Gertrude and Hy Frank, he was a graduate of Trenton State College, class of ’54 and was president of the class for three years. He studied percussion at the Julliard School of Music in New York City where he studied with Saul Goodman of the New York Philaharmonic, achieved his Masters degree in Music Composition at The College of New Jersey and his Doctor of Musical Arts Degree at Temple University – the first recipient to receive this degree.

Art began his career as a music teacher and band director at Hamilton West High School. After being inducted into the Army in 1956, he taught at their Band School. His Army Combo won a competition which afforded them a chance to entertain Troops around the world.

He later became choir director at Steinert High School in Hamilton, NJ.

The subject for his Masters thesis was The Oratorio Abraham & Isaac, performed at the dedication of the new Rider College Chapel. He then moved on to Rider University from 1962-1969, serving as an Assistant Professor, Choir Director, Musical Director and conductor of Famed, “Theater 59”, chosen for 2 years by the USO, to package tours to entertain GI’s throughout Europe.

In 1964 he became the First Chair of the Fine Arts department at Rider University. In 1968, while at Rider University he received The Christian Rand Mary F. Lindback Foundation Award for Distinguished Teaching. In 1969 he joined the faculty of the Department of Music Education at Temple University, where he retired as Professor Emeritus after 27 years, teaching over a thousand students.

Throughout his career, Art was Musical Director at the famed Lambertville Music Circus, and Music Director at the Bucks County Playhouse, Trenton Theater in the Park, Bordentown Theater, Foundation Theater at Burlington County Community College, Bristol Riverside Theater and McCarter Theater of Princeton, NJ.

He started his professional performing career at age 14, eventually creating the ever popular “Art Frank Orchestra”, as well as his Dixieland Band Combo.

40 years after teaching at Steinert High School, he was honored with a concert reunion, from which 25 of the original 70 participants came together to perform. For 10 years they performed at numerous nursing homes throughout the Delaware Valley, spreading music to many. They were known as “Mr. Frank’s Kids”.

Art played on a USTA 4.0 Championship Tennis Team, winning for the state of NJ. He was an avid Golfer, winning many championship tournaments at Cobblestone Creek Country Club, formerly Greenacres Country Club. He was a Championship Bridge Player attaining the level of Silver Life Master.

Predeceased by his parents Hy and Gertrude Frank, Art is survived by his loving wife of 66 years, Roberta M. Frank, his sons, Mitchell Frank, Bruce Frank (Kimberly Leemaster), Greg Frank (Robin), and his 9 grandchildren: Benjamin Frank (Anna), Andrea Frank, Robert Frank, Leah Frank, Hannah Frank (Logan McBride), Alison Frank (John Edenhofner), Natalie Frank, Matt Frank and David Frank.

Funeral services are 1:00 pm on Sunday, April 2 at Orland’s Ewing Memorial Chapel, 1534 Pennington Road, Ewing, NJ. Burial will follow at Ewing Cemetery, Har Sinai Temple Section.

Memorial contributions may be made to Greenwood House (GreenwoodHouse.org), Har Sinai Temple (HarSinai.org), and the Dr. Arthur Frank and Hy Frank Memorial Scholarship Fund at The College of NJ (give.tcnj.edu/give-now)

For condolences: OrlandsMemorialChapel.com