Gerald Wendel "Gerry" Frank (September 21, 1923 – March 13, 2022) was an Oregon businessman, philanthropist, police advocate, author, and longtime chief of staff to U. S. senator Mark Hatfield.
Biography
Frank was a vice president of the Meier and Frank department store chain, which was founded by his great-grandfather Aaron Meier in 1857. He left that position in 1965, during a time of disagreement among the Meier and Frank families over potential buyout offers.[1] His departure came shortly after the board had forced his father, Aaron Frank, out as chief executive; he later described it as the saddest period of his life.[2]
He was already a millionaire when he went on to become an aide to Hatfield; he initially took a salary of only $1, prior to becoming Hatfield's chief of staff. He was known as "Oregon's third senator" due to his political influence.[1]
Frank opened a cake shop in Salem in 1982, and wrote guidebooks and newspaper columns about food and travel.[3]
