Frank Stanley Povirk was born to Eleanor Indof Povirk and Frank C. Povirk in Greensburg, Penn. on July 28, 1942 and passed on March 10, 2022 in Eureka. He grew up alongside brother, James E. “Valentino” Povirk in the small western Pennsylvania town of Yukon and later attended Grove City College, where he studied hard to get a degree in metallurgy and met his future wife, Linda Flaherty and made lifelong friends of his Kappa Alpha Phi Brothers.

When we consider Frank’s small-town roots, and the obstacles he overcame to finish his degree, he was a tribute to hard work and determination. Frank excelled in his career, working for J&L, LTV, Davis-Walker and Republic Engineered Steels as chief metallurgist and sales engineer. He had a very successful career selling specialty alloy stainless steel that took him all over the world in the 1980s and 90s – Venezuela, Argentina, Mexico, East Germany, Japan, Malaysia and many more. Frank had a special rapport with his customers and made some great memories in his travels. He would always bring the kids a sample of the local currency.

The steel business took him, Linda and their two children, Kurt and Kyra, from Pittsburgh to Michigan, and then to Irvine, California in 1979. It was a big change that Frank fully embraced. Weekends at Main Beach in Laguna or Aliso were common, as were frequent tennis games with neighbors at the courts of the Racquet Club. Old Pittsburgh neighbor, fellow Pittsburgh Steelers fan and best friend, Terry Bowman, lived in nearby Newport Beach. Their friendship grew stronger with many fun outings and almost every Thanksgiving spent with the Bowmans, whether at their home or in the Cabo San Lucas of the 1990s.

Frank loved animals, and we have fond memories of dogs Tipsy and Bridgette who brought him joy over the years. Terry surprised Frank with a tortoise on his 40th birthday; the creature was an escape artist and Frank took to sticking address labels and writing his phone number in white-out on its shell so it could be returned more easily. Frank was a problem solver.

In the early 1990s, Frank and Linda divorced and he met Angie Tracy, with whom he spent a fun and love-filled 23 years before moving to assisted living in 2016, and then to Eureka to be closer to his son, Kurt. After he and Angie met, he welcomed her and her two daughters, Holly and Christina into the family home and treated them like family too.

Frank had a lot of pride in his children, especially in son Kurt when he co-founded Six Rivers Brewery in McKinleyville. He enjoyed the the food and beer and being doted on by Talia and Meredith, Kurt’s business partners. Mention of Six Rivers always brought a sparkle to his eye.

Family was very important to Frank, and the kids have fond memories of going back East to family reunions at Westmorland County Park, where Frank would visit with his Aunts and other far-away family each July. He loved the gym, and he regularly attended 24 hour fitness in Irvine until his health no longer allowed. As his health deteriorated, long-time friend, Darci Liang, was a frequent visitor and helped with doctor appointments, shopping, and visited with him frequently; our group trips to King’s Fish House in Laguna Hills are missed.

Frank was strong and a testament to his nickname, Frank the Tank, to the very end. The family thanks the wonderful staff at Frye’s Care Home and Hospice of Humboldt for their care and attention to Frank and family. We were so blessed to have you by our side. Darci and Terry remained good and close friends with Frank; we all could only wish for such true friendship and love.

Frank was preceded in death by his parents, Frank and Eleanor Povirk, brother Jim Povirk, and is survived by his daughter Kyra Povirk (Dave Lingle) of Salmon, Idaho, son Kurt Povirk and grandsons Monti and Killian Povirk of Bayside, nephew Josh Giannini of New York, numerous extended family and friends: Linda Povirk, Darci Liang, Terry Bowman, Doug and Traci Bowman, Angie Tracy, Holly and John Hamel, Christina Locke, the Wells family, the Bourassa family, and others. Many thanks to the professionals who supported the family over the years: Karen and Phil Schmidt, Ruth Dioquino of Care Art Homecare, and Tiffany Pascual of Oso Medical Pharmacy. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to a local animal shelter or the Parkinson’s Disease foundation of your choice.

Services will be held at a later date at the West Newton Cemetery in West Newton, Penn.

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