Frank J. Kaegi Jr., government retiree

Frank J. Kaegi Jr., 88, passed away surrounded in love Thursday, Dec. 27, 2018, after a brief illness, in Sarasota, Fla. Frank Jr. was born May 22, 1930, in Milwaukee, Wis., to Lillian Stock Kaegi and Frank J. Kaegi. 

He graduated from Custer High School in 1948, and was drafted into the Army in 1951, during the Korean War. He spent nearly two years in Honshu, Japan in military service and was honorably discharged in 1953. Frank Jr. went on to graduate from the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee receiving a bachelor of science degree. Frank then moved to Los Angeles, Calif., where he enrolled at UCLA and earned a master’s degree in economics. He then moved to Washington, D.C., participating in a government internship program, working first at the U.S. Information Agency, and then the Federal Aviation Administration, where he spent the rest of his career. He retired with 30 years government service in 1989.

Frank married Merrill Ann Kreutz in 1963 in Washington, D.C. Frank and Merrill raised one daughter, Ellen Louise Wilson.  Frank and Merrill retired to Sarasota, where they split their time between Lewes (where they owned a cottage for many years) and Sarasota.

Frank is predeceased by his parents; his sister Jean Kaegi Pabst; and brother Don Kaegi. He is survived by his wife Merrill Ann; his daughter Ellen; two grandchildren: Savannah Merrill Wilson and Grace Stewart Wilson; and son-in-law Robert Wilson. 

Frank loved life and enjoyed music, theater, movies and reading. He had a good memory and never forgot a plot or tune. He was also an avid fan of pro football and basketball. 

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Sarasota YMCA – Frank G. Berlin Sr. Branch, 1075 S. Euclid Ave., Sarasota, FL  34237.