August 7, 1924 – January 21, 2019
Francis Edward “Frank” Stevenson, 94, passed away Friday, January 21, 2019. He was born to Maude Marie (Flanders) Stevenson and Alvin Guy Stevenson in Indianapolis on Aug. 7, 1924. He moved to Noblesville when he was a junior in High School and that is where he met the love of his life, Martha Kaiser. They were married on August 31, 1944. She was the love of his life, his sweetie, his “Skip,” and they were married for 74 years.
Frank served aboard the USS South Carolina while in the Navy in WWII. He was in the South China Sea and was part of the fighting in Buckner Bay.
Frank received a Bachelor of Science degree from Iowa State University. He then taught at Iowa State while he worked on a Master’s degree. Later he received his Doctor of Jurisprudence from Indiana University School of Law. Frank started his career as an engineer and a Human Resources Manager at the Firestone plant in Noblesville and Decatur Illinois. At mid-life, he began practicing law in Noblesville and had an office on the south side of the square for 38 years.
Frank was a true visionary and as Hamilton County began to grow from a rural to an urban community, Frank began to recognize the growing need for non-governmental social service organizations. Through his experience in personnel work and later as an attorney, Frank became aware of the acute need for public mental health facilities in Hamilton County and was influential in the establishment of Tri-County Mental Health Services.
Frank was appointed the first public defender in Hamilton County, and as a result of his involvement with juveniles who were in trouble with the law, Frank was instrumental in establishing the Hamilton Centers Youth Service Bureau, serving on the initial Board of Directors for six years.
Frank was Hamilton County Chairman of the United Way and served on the Board of Directors of the Metropolitan United Way. He was a board member of the Metropolitan Community Service Council for over 15 years and was instrumental in establishing a service center in Hamilton County. He served on the steering committee and the initial board of directors of the Legacy Fund. He served for six years on the Hamilton County Chapter of American Red Cross and participated in the acquisition of the Chapter House in Noblesville. Frank served as a Boy Scout Leader for several years both as a troop leader and as an Explorer post leader.
Frank served as an Elder, Deacon and Sunday School teacher at First Presbyterian Church of Noblesville and he also served on Presbytery and Synod committees of the Presbyterian church. He was deeply involved in seeing that the Pipe Organ at the Noblesville First Presbyterian Church was rebuilt and refurbished to give many more years of service.
Frank was a member of the Masonic Lodge in Noblesville and was a member of the Noblesville Kiwanis Club for 60 years, serving on various committees and as president.
Frank was very talented musically. He played in the Indianapolis Boy Scout Band as a youth. Later in life, he enjoyed playing with the Jazz Gents, The Sentimentals and at the Atlanta Music Hall.
In his “senior years,” Frank bought farmland in Benton County. He set aside part of the land and created “Stevenshire,” a family retreat mecca. It involved restoring three Indiana ecosystems, a prairie, a savanna and a wetland, building cabins, a dining hall and a four-acre pond. His idea was to create a space where multiple generations could come to enjoy nature and each other.
Frank is survived by his wife, Martha; his daughter, Ann; and son, Scott. He is also survived by three grandsons, Christopher and Daniel Smalley and Casey Stevenson; as well as three great-grandchildren, Owen, Erica and Quinn Smalley. He is also survived by his brother, Richard Stevenson. He was predeceased by his parents; and his brother, Don Stevenson.
Frank’s Celebration of Life Service will take place at 4 p.m. on Monday, January 28, 2019 at First Presbyterian Church of Noblesville, 1207 Conner St., Noblesville, with visitation from 2 p.m. to the time of service. Pastor Eric Gale will officiate. Randall & Roberts Funeral Homes has been entrusted with Frank’s care.
Memorial gifts may be made to the First Presbyterian Church of Noblesville or the Blatchley Nature Study Club of Noblesville, 125 Boulder Drive, Noblesville. Envelopes will be available at the time of the service.
Condolences: randallroberts.com
Arrangements
Calling: 2 to 4 p.m., Jan. 28
Service: 4 p.m., Jan. 28
Location: First Presbyterian Church of Noblesville
Condolences: randallroberts.com