Nick Frank
January 20, 1943 - January 10, 2021

Nicholas Andrew Frank was born in Yokohama, Japan in 1943. With his parents Lou and Irene and his sister Katherine, Nick survived near starvation in Karuizawa during WWII. On July 14, 1947, Nick disembarked in Honolulu as stateless immigrant, speaking Japanese and English. So began Nick’s interesting life that included being a star Air Force technician in Holland, building a winery in the Republic of Georgia, and extensive business travel in Russia, Japan and Asia. As a father he made sure to be done with his job early every day to be available to his daughters Vanessa and Heather whom he adored. Loyal and proud, Nick was an anchor for them.

Later, after a career in Silicon Valley and starting his own business, Bare Essentials, Nick moved to Humboldt County where he met and fell in love with Nina Groth. Together they spent the next 20 years in their Trinidad home above the expansive Pacific ocean. Nick loved the beauty that Humboldt has to offer and relaxed by hiking on the Prairie Creek State Park trails and on local beaches with Nina. Enjoying the simple pleasures of life, Nick could make an everyday event special, for example; every meal was a celebration. He appreciated all the local music venues (and not having to wait in lines). He found great joy attending the concerts of The Eureka Symphony , The Eureka Chamber Music Series and TBAM: Trinidad Bay Arts and Music festival.

Scientist, mathematician, entrepreneur, Nick was a problem solver and always had time to listen to others, wanting to help them succeed and realize their dreams, whether in business or personal life. He would give tirelessly of his time. Nick was also an avid gardener and when at home, spent much of the time planting bushes, trees, flowers and a huge vegetable garden with an adjoining fruit tree orchard as well as a separate elaborate berry garden. He dearly loved the local farmers markets, farmers and nurseries where he would always buy more than he needed.

Sociable and opinionated, Nick was curious about other people’s viewpoint of the world and was always eager to converse or debate about life. There were many lively conversations over coffee, whether at a bakery or when he hosted wonderful lunches on the bluff in Trinidad as he loved to do. Nick got pleasure from giving other people enjoyment - if he could put a smile on your face he was happy.

Nick will be greatly missed by his wife Nina, his beloved daughters Vanessa and Heather, his six siblings whom he cherished and their respective families, as well as his many relatives and friends.

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The obituary above was submitted on behalf of Nick Frank’s loved ones. The Lost Coast Outpost runs obituaries of Humboldt County residents at no charge. See guidelines here.