Robert Franz

Robert J. Franz

For those unable to attend the Funeral Mass, it will be livestreamed at the Church of the Resurrection Facebook page at 11:00 am Friday, December 31, 2021.


Wife: Roberta J. Franz, Married: April 20, 1963 Father: Robert J. Franz Sr., Deceased: December 31, 1962 Mother: Mary B. Franz (Martin), Deceased June 13, 1996 Sons: Robert III (Christine), granddaughters: Ashley (Mike) great-grandson Lowell; Brittany (Chris) great-grandson Logan and soon addition. Greg (Mary), granddaughters Emily and Hannah; grandson Matthew Brian (Jeannie), grandsons Zachary, Jake, Ben, Noah Doug (JoLynn) grandsons Caleb, Blake, Elijah, Joseph; granddaughter Isabella
He is preceded in death by his father and mother; sister Carolyn M; brother Joseph J; and seven grandchildren.
He is survived by sisters Barbara Montell (Jim), Martha Steffish (Ed), Laurene Baum (Lynn), brother John (Terri). Three simple words, Faith, Family, and Education reveal what is truly important to Bob.
Faith "One's courage, hope, and spirit can be severely tried by the happenings of life, but so long as one never loses faith, it is impossible to ever truly be alone." Robert J. Franz Jr.
His Catholic Faith was the center of his life and played a crucial role in every decision he made. He was in love with his faith and believed firmly in the full participation of the Sacraments. Living out his baptismal call, Bob took great strides to be a true disciple and Christ to others. He made his cum Christo-Cursillo Spiritual Renewal Weekend in 1976 and was active in the movement over the years and up to the present as Post Cum Christo Director, Lay Director with his wife Rob, and Leaders School Director. His driving force was to bring the leaders and retreatants to Christ Jesus through the teachings of the Catholic Church. He faithfully met with his Group Brothers Ed Price, Mike Agriesti, and Phil Roblee for over 20 years. He was an adamant supporter and evangelist for the Pro-Life movement. Writing and submitting several articles to newspapers stating his fervent belief in the sanctity of human life from conception to natural death. Having personally faced the decision, and pressure, to consider the abortion of one of their sons, Bob and Rob never wavered in their decision. It was not uncommon for Bob to pray the Holy Rosary or listen to books on faith with Rob at home or on long car rides. They also attended Sunday Mass as well as daily mass together, with a great devotion to the Blessed Sacrament. Bob and Rob have a great devotion to Our Lady, having made several pilgrimages to Lourdes and Medjugorje. These trips strengthened his faith, his relationship with Rob, and his sons, as well as his relationship with his own dad. Bob put this faith in action by bringing Holy Communion and visiting patients as part of Mount Carmel Hospice. His gift of faith was passed on to his sons and their families. He prayed the Rosary, shared spiritual books, and attended Mass with them. Bob believed there is no greater gift than to pass this faith on to his family and friends.
Family "Gratitude should always be our first response for all the blessings in our lives. Our second response should be to live a life worthy of the blessings we have received." Matthew Kelly He married his wife Roberta on April 20, 1963 and spent 58 wonderful, and sometimes challenging, years together. Bob and Rob loved to travel together, visiting Western Europe several times, Ireland, and England. They also took numerus sea and land cruises together. Camping and boating with family and friends were frequent during the summer months and continued with their four sons, daughter-in-laws and 14 grandchildren and 3 great-grandchildren. Family unity is still the priority of Bob and Rob.
Education – The Consummate Teacher Bob attended Rosary High School, class of 1955, earned his Baccalaureate of Arts from St. Charles Borromeo College, Master of Arts for Teachers from Michigan State University, and his Associate Professor Emeritus from Ohio Dominican College. Bob was one of the original faculty members (Biology Instructor) at St. Francis DeSales High School from 1962 until 1972. He spent the next 36 years as Associate Professor teaching in the Division of Education at Ohio Dominican College. As Coordinator/Director of the Secondary Teacher Preparation Program Bob wrote and maintained the program over the years to meet State Teacher Licensure Standards. He taught Secondary Early Field Experience, Educational Psychology, Secondary Methods, and supervised Secondary Student Teachers. Many of his former students are teachers and administrators in Parochial and Public Schools in Central Ohio. Bob tutored students at the Dominican Learning Center and through the Columbus Public Library helping adults earn their GED. Bob was an avid reader of technical material particularly Heart Disease and Alternative Medicine. Through his studies he learned to manage his own heart disease from 1989 until the present. In fact, he was #34 nationally to receive a heart stent. Bob spent time researching and writing the Franz Genealogy Book for Years 1811-2014.

"It is not easy for man, wounded by sin, to maintain moral balance. Christ's gift of salvation offers us the grace necessary to persevere in the pursuit of virtues. Everyone should always ask for this grace of light and strength, frequent the sacraments, cooperate with the Holy Spirit, and follow his calls to love what is good and shun evil" (Catechism of the Catholic Church, 1811)
Calling hours will be Thursday, December 30, 2-4 pm and 6-8 pm in the Ministry Center at the Church of the Resurrection Roman Catholic Church, 6300 E. Dublin Granville Rd., New Albany, OH 43054. The Holy Rosary will begin at 7:30 pm followed by the 5 th Day Cum Cristo Celebration.  Additional calling hours December 31, 10:00-11:00 am in the Main Church at the Church of the Resurrection, followed by the Mass of Christian Burial at 11:00am.
In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to The Robert J. Franz Scholarship at the Ohio Dominican University, 1216 Sunbury Road, Columbus, OH 43219.
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