Robert P. Frankel (July 9, 2010)
Robert P. Frankel, 88, a Philadelphia lawyer, died of a progressive neurological disorder Friday, July 9, at the medical wing of Rydal Park, where he had lived for seven years. He was a longtime resident of Jenkintown. Mr. Frankel represented the fourth generation of his family to be a board member of Congregation Rodeph Shalom in Philadelphia, where he was president from 1973 to 1976. He also served as an executive for two hospitals.
From 1949 to 1999, Mr. Frankel was with Fox, Rothschild, O’Brien & Frankel, the Center City firm at which his father, Bernard, was a named partner. Mr. Frankel, who handled trusts and estates, became a partner in 1958. Born in Philadelphia, Mr. Frankel graduated from Cheltenham High School in 1939 and earned a bachelor’s degree from the University of North Carolina in 1942.
He served with the Army Air Corps during World War II. After the war, his military assignment was to work with Boy Scouts on Guam. Mr. Frankel graduated from the University of Pennsylvania Law School in 1948. A spokeswoman for the Jewish Publication Society said that Mr. Frankel was a society trustee from 1971 to 1980 and again from 1984. She said Mr. Frankel was treasurer of the Publication Society from 1974 to 1976, its vice president from 1977 to 1979, and again its treasurer from 1980 to 1983.
A board member of Eagleville Hospital from 1965 to 2006, he was named its solicitor in 1966.
Mr. Frankel was a board member of Abington Memorial Hospital from 1980 to 1998. He was president from 1969 to 1972 of the Noble Improvement Association, a civic group in Abington.
With the Lawyers’ Club in Philadelphia, he was a board member in the 1970s and 1980s and a member of the Locust Club from the 1950s for more than 30 years.
In 1961, The Inquirer reported that he was reelected to a three-year term as a director of the Philmont Country Club. A Philmont member from the 1940s into the 1990s, he served as both its secretary and vice president.
Besides his son, Robert P. Jr., he is survived by his wife of 56 years, Doris; sons Richard and Donald; and two grandchildren. A graveside service was held July 11. A memorial is planned for 2 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 19, at Congregation Rodeph Shalom, 615 N. Broad St.