Frank V.
Bialek
- Visitation
- Saturday, Sept. 5 from 2 to 3:30 p.m. at Heritage Funeral Home (4800 S. 84th St., Greenfield, WI)
- “Frank stories”
- Saturday, Sept. 5 starting at 3:30 p.m. at Heritage Funeral Home (4800 S. 84th St., Greenfield, WI)
Frank V. Bialek
Frank V. Bialek, 75, of West Allis, passed away peacefully on Monday, July 27 after a long and courageous stand against several chronic diseases that threatened to steal his joy. He would have none of that.
Frank grew up on the South Side of Chicago, which was his kind of town. He spent a lifetime loving the Cubbies and cheering for Da Bears.
He graduated from Brother Rice High School, where he loved to produce dances and proms featuring top-notch talent, including booking the band that would evolve into REO Speedwagon.
After high school, Frank enrolled at Milwaukee’s Marquette University, where he made many lifelong friends as president of a fraternity that he considered a forerunner of the one depicted in the movie Animal House. During his freshman year, Frank also met Ed Langwasser, who became his best friend, confidant and spiritual adviser.
Frank studied broadcasting and speech and planned to return to Chicago after getting some experience in Milwaukee. He never did move back to the Windy City.
His career included stints at WISN, WBCS, WRIT, WEMP radio stations and at a startup album rock station called 93QFM.
While news director at WQFM, Frank created the city’s most hilarious community calendar, “Milwaukee Tonight.” He also managed to uncover a hoax telephone call involving a Muhammad Ali impersonator and Howard Cosell. He once created a half-real/half-imaginary QFM Groundhog’s Day parade plagued by freezing temps and a snowstorm and broadcast live. He teamed up with DJ Bob Reitman for a live broadcast of their attempt to convince gorillas Samson and Tara to get together for breeding purposes. Despite hours of pumping romantic music like Bungle in the Jungle into their zoo enclosure, the great apes remained far apart.
Frank moved on to become director of communications for the Medical Society of Milwaukee County for 20 years. While in that position, he organized physicians to help develop a community coalition to answer the challenges of an emerging AIDS crisis. He also arranged for doctors to appear regularly on WTMJ Radio and in other local media to provide timely health information on a wide range of topics.
Frank’s public service includes an appointment to the District Two Committee of the Wisconsin Supreme Court’s Office of Lawyer Regulation, where he served for eight years, and many years of service on the board of the West Allis Health Department.
One of the greatest joys of Frank’s life was spending time with his grandson, Sylvan, who is his “Boompa’s” pride and joy.
Frank had a particular soft spot for dogs, and spent many happy hours with family pets Whiskey Man, Dr. Winston O’Boogie and Radar. All of them loved him back.
Among family and friends, Frank led a legendary life. He left no party unpartied, no witty comments unspoken, no episode of MASH unmashed. He was always bigger than anything that tried to drag him down.
Frank is survived and deeply loved by his wife of 49 years, Nancy Blair Bialek, his children, Rebecca (Taylor) Rick and Benjamin Bialek (Emily Dugan), and grandson Sylvan Rick. He is also survived by his brother, Thomas (Paula) Bialek, and sister, Catherine (Richard) Gilman. He was predeceased by his parents, Frank A. and Helen M. (Paris) Bialek. He is further survived by Aunt Stella Dudkowski and many cousins, nieces and nephews and cherished friends.
The family is grateful to the physicians, nurses and all the medical staff at Froedtert Hospital who provided excellent care to Frank throughout his life, as well as the staff of the Lutheran Home and West Allis paramedics for their gentle assistance during his last days.
A celebration of Frank’s life will be held Saturday, Sept. 5 at Heritage Funeral Home, 4800 S. 84th St., Greenfield. Visitation will be from 2 to 3:30 p.m. followed by sharing of favorite “Frank stories” by friends and family.
Memorials to Special Olympics, the Wisconsin Humane Society or the charity of your choice appreciated.
Nan, this a most beautiful way to honor the man you, your family, and all of your and his friends will forever miss and love. Love, Lorene
Thank you, Lorene, for all of your support through these last couple of years, even with all that you are going through.. Sending love back to you.
Nan, what a beautiful and inspiring obituary for a cool man!
Thank you, Tom, for your kind words and prayers.
Wonderful words for a remarkable man. I’m so lucky to have had an Uncle like Frank. He will be deeply missed.
Thank you, Terri. He always enjoyed talking and joking with you.
What an incredible tribute to a life well-loved.
Thank you, Candy. He did have a life well-loved.
A beautiful tribute for an amazing man who was truly loved by his friends and family. May Many beautiful memories abound as his life will be very much Celebrated.
Thank you for your sweet comment, Carol, much appreciated.
Wonderfully written and a fitting tribute for one of the coolest people I’ve ever met. And he booked the predecessors to my favorite band?! Unfortunately, I’ll miss the memorial. Thinking of you and the rest of the family.
Thank you so much, Patti. Someday I’ll tell you the rest of the REO story.
Nan. please accept my deep condolences. There was none other like him and never will be. I am so very sorry for your loss. In his inimitable style, Frank kept the rest of us laughing until the end. He was brilliant in life and a sweet gentle soul. Quinny loved him too. He will be dearly missed.
Oh, Cora, I’m so glad somebody told you. I was trying to find your number among Frank’s lists and couldn’t find it. He loved you and Quinn. Thank you for sharing your lovely thoughts about Frank.
Frank had a smile you could see and feel from across the room…my condolences and love to Nan and her family.
Thank you, George. He did have a wall-to-wall grin! Love to you, too!
Frank will remain special to me as my news guy at QFM. We always had a great improv together going into his newscast and our “and finally” was a last story that always left things on a high note.
Condolences to you and your family.
Thank you, Bobbin! He had so many warm (and funny) memories of you and Pete and the whole QFM crew. He left this world on a high note, too. Thank you for your condolences.
What an amazing and fun man who led an amazing life! Not many South Siders become Cubs fans but we’ll excuse that. I never got a chance to meet him but like everyone else I’m sure I would have loved being around him. Sorry for your loss Nan.. My condolences.
Thank you very much, Tim. RE: South Side Sox fans, Frank danced to the beat of a drummer only he could hear. And yes, you would have loved that, I’m sure. Thank you for your kind words.