January 24, 2013
Frank Gregrich

Frank Gregrich, loved son, brother and uncle, passed away Jan. 20 at home in Salt Lake City due to natural causes. He was 94 years old. Frank was born in Tooele on Dec. 12, 1918 to immigrant parents from Croatia, Vid and Mary Gregrich. His father died of influenza in the epidemic of 1918, when Frank was only 17 days old, being the youngest of seven. He began school in Oregon, where he lived for a time with his older sister, Eleanor, and her husband. As a young boy, he learned hard work on the family farm. Frank was skilled in the field of electronics and was an aviation enthusiast. His interest in these two subjects was lifelong. He learned to fly fixed-wing aircraft as a very young man, and flew gliders as a hobby. When he entered the military during WWII, he volunteered for the Army Air Corps, trained in Steerman PT-17s, received his wings, and saw combat in the Pacific Theatre, serving in India and Burma. His knowledge of aviation was encyclopedic, and he could expertly describe nearly any vintage airplane, including its engine, its horsepower and the name of the manufacturer. For a time he was employed at Croft Electronics in Salt Lake City. During the Vietnam War, his aviation skills earned him a position as flight instructor at Ross Aviation, a civilian contractor with the U.S. Army and later the Air Force. He trained both American and foreign students from U.S. allies at installations in Ft. Stewart, Ga.; Enid, Okla.; and Hondo, Texas. He was known for his hard work, dedication and great intellect for electronics. He traveled many places all over the world. He loved collecting old electronics and radios. He was preceded in death by his parents, his sister Eleanor Luketic, brothers Martin, John, Joe, Peter and baby brother Robert Gregrich. He is survived by nephews and nieces, Richard (Dolly) Gregrich, Roger (Carol) Gregrich, Deborah Gregrich, Judy McLaws and Pat Warburton. A graveside service will be held at noon at Tooele City Cemetery on Jan. 28, where interment will take place. In lieu of flowers, please contribute to your favorite charity.