Frank Zurn

Frank Willard Zurn was born in Erie, January 18, 1927. Born in a snow storm and barely making it to the hospital for delivery, his mother claimed she still had her galoshes on and that he was vaccinated with a phonograph needle.  Frank loved to talk.  His wonderful parents were Melvin and Marian Zurn. He was raised on Erie's waterfront and he loved Erie. As a child he graced the cover of Ladies Home Journal, often being called upon to be used as a model for George Ericson paintings. He was educated at Choate School, Wallingford, CT and he received a Bachelor of Mechanical Engineering degree from Cornell University. At Choate he co-captained the squash team with Tom Kempner, co-captained the swim team, played trombone in the band and held the lead in the senior play as Sir Joseph Porter.

While at Cornell he was captain of the cheer-leading squad, business manager of the Cornellian and lettered in swimming, diving, and cheerleading. Upon graduation he served in the US Navy as an electronic specialist.  After serving in the Navy he moved to New York, lived at the downtown Athletic Club and began to sell Zurn Products, mainly mechanical drives to refineries, power plants and the US Navy. He became Director in 1951, President in 1965 and Chairman of Zurn Industries in 1973 at the age of 38.  Under Mr. Zurn's direction, Zurn Industries, Inc. grew from $12 million in annual  sales in 1965 to over $400 million,  acquiring  such companies  as, Erie City Iron Works, Griswold Manufacturing, Presque Isle Plastics,  Hays Manufacturing, Haysite,  Bayview Forge, Erie Engine  and Manufacturing Co., General Air, Tulsa Heat Exchange Co, Swaruthwat,  Kokomo  Indiana,  Claridge Fan, The Robert Irsay Co. in Chicago, Vinylnex, Lamar, Cosco Fire Protection, Ludwig  Engineering Science, Nepco  and Lynx Golf Clubs to name  a few. As a testimonial to his assuming presidency of a multimillion dollar corporation before reaching the age of 40, he was elected to the Young President's Organization of America, Chief Executive Organization and the World Business Council.  The extensive experience qualified him as respected author and lecturer. He wrote articles for or appeared before many organizations. Mr. Zurn also addressed literally hundreds of security analysts and others in the financial community. He was listed in "Who's Who in America” and "Leaders in America Science." Director of Zurn Foundation, Cornell Research Foundation, Trustee of the Choate School, and St. Vincent Health Center.  Member of the Cornell  Club of Sarasota, American Society of Mechanical Engineers, American Society of Naval Engineers,  Society  of Naval Architects and Marine Engineers, the Newcomen Society of North America, Northwestern PA Humane  Society and served as Vice President of the Pennsylvania Society in New York. A member of the Erie Yacht Club since 1954, Mr. Zurn was elected Commodore in 1961.

Mr. Zurn is known in the boating world as owner of Kahili, a McCurdy and Rhodes 61 sloop, which was named after his daughters, Karen, Heidi and Lisa. Mr. Zurn was an avid sailor in  competitive racing  around the Great Lakes, Chesapeake Bay, Atlantic  Ocean  and Caribbean Sea,  He won the Mackinac Race back to back both Port Huron  and Chicago,  Queens Cup, Navy  Challenge Cup, Lyman Cup, Falcon  Cup  and many Great Lake Races. He traveled all over the world and truly enjoyed his stay on earth. A bit of a daredevil he rode the Cresta Run in St. Moritz. As Frank Sinatra would say....he made mistakes along the way....but then again too few to mention.  He did it his way. Along with his grandchildren and great grandchildren, he is survived by his brothers, David and Roger both of Erie, sons, Peter of Erie and Doug of Marblehead, MA, daughters, Karen and Heidi of Erie and his wife of 43 years, Martha Jane. Private arrangements are entrusted to Burton Quinn Scott Cremation & Funeral Services Inc., Downtown, 602 W. 10^th St., Erie.  Donations can be made in his honor to the Humane Society of Erie PA, 2407 Zimmerly Rd., Erie, PA 16506.

Send condolences to www.BurtonQuinnScott.com.