LITTLE ROCK

— Ben W. Frank, of Little Rock, Ark., passed away April 18, 2020, at age 90. He was born Oct. 18, 1929, in Lampasas, Texas, to Hugo C. and Nadine G. Frank during the first week of the Great Depression.

Ben is survived by his wife, Eleanor B. Frank of Little Rock, Ark.; sons Carl V. Frank of Traskwood, Ark., and Rick V. Frank and daughter-in-law Deanna Frank of Katy, Texas; step-sons and daughter-in-law, Jim and Sue Bodenhamer of Littleton, Colo., John and Nina Bodenhamer of Fort Collins, Colo., and Bob Bodenhamer of Fayetteville, Ark.; step-daughter Ann Rosso of Fayetteville, Ark.; 17 grandchildren; brother and sister-in-law Carl and Peggy Frank of Alexander, Ark.; and a brother-in-law Steve McFaull of Cameron, Texas.

He was predeceased by his first wife, Maymie A. Bowles Frank, and sister Jean McFaull.

Ben, a long-time resident of Arkansas, moved from Texas to Little Rock in 1960 and was claim manager for Commercial Union Insurance Company until 1979, at which time he resigned to accept the position of administrator of the Self Insure Division of Arkansas Workers Compensation Commission. He retired from the commission in 1998.

Ben was an Air Force veteran and had more than two decades experience as a claim man. In the claim field, Ben served on the Little Rock Claim Manager’s Council and served as their president. He served as chairman the Arkansas Inter-Company Arbitration Committee. Ben was instrumental in an Arkansas Special Arbitration Committee founded in Arkansas, and he served as its first chairman for eight years. He served as president of the Arkansas Adjuster Association.

In his earlier years, he graduated from Lampasas High School, obtained a BA degree from the University of Texas, and attended the Arkansas Law School in Little Rock, receiving his law degree and top honors in his class in 1964. A member of the Arkansas Bar Association, he was named to Who’s Who in American Law. He was a member of the Arkansas State Employees Association, which designated Ben as Outstanding State Employee in 1997.

The Workers Compensation Commission Rules and Policy concerning the regulation of the Arkansas Self Insure Program, drafted by Ben, was recognized as one of the best in the nation during Ben’s tenure. For many years, Ben was an active member of the Select Committee for the Self-Assurance for the Southern Association of Workers Compensation Administrators. Ben was honored to be appointed by Gov. Mike Huckabee to serve as commissioner of the Workers Compensation Commission for temporary terms to hear a number of different cases.

Ben’s work and service on various committees didn’t restrict his time and energy as to civic affairs. He served as the president of the Traskwood Booster Club and worked with the Traskwood Ball Program for many years. He also served as Traskwood’s city judge and city attorney for 21 years. His municipal service included the obtaining of monies and grant funds for the construction of a Traskwood Community Center and Traskwood Fire Department building.

The citizens of Traskwood commissioned a bronze plaque that reflects their appreciation of Ben’s effort and placed the plaque at the center’s front door. Ben always believed in the advantage of a strong political system. While serving as Saline County Election Commissioner, he once presided over a coin-flipping ceremony to break the tie in a mayoralty race for the city of Traskwood.

Ben’s retirement years included travel and boating. Ben was a lifetime Lutheran, and since the early ’60s was a member of the First Lutheran Church in Little Rock. Ben was quick to credit the two ladies in his life Maymie, his first wife, who died in 1994, and Eleanor, his present wife, whose love and support made his work and career enjoyable.

Due to covid-19 social distancing requirements there will not be a visitation or a funeral service. A memorial will be held at a location yet to be determined, when it is safe to resume normal group gatherings.

Burial will be in the Straley Cemetery in Adamsville, Texas. Online guestbook at www.ashbyfuneralhome.com.