Many
knew Frank better than I. First we met
at the Seattle Convention in 1990. We
corresponded and phoned. Then I asked
Frank to speak at a large historical A.A.
conference in California called "A
Day in Marin." There were some 800
present; and the audience was so enthralled,
they asked Frank to speak twice that day.
What inspired me most is that before we
began the conference itself, Frank suggested
and led us in prayer. Then, after the
conference, Frank suggested I write a
book. And now, fourteen titles later,
I am indebted to him.
Frank
was always supportive, prayful, informative,
and helpful. He let me stay at his apartment
for ten days when I was doing research
at Stepping Stones, General Services,
Peale Center, and a good many other places.
He read and made comments on some of my
earlier manuscripts. When I needed something
at GSO archives, I would write a request,
forward it to Frank, and then find it
cleared by him through the Trustees Archives
Committee. Frank supported historical
research in every way he could.
My
view of an archivist is that he or she
is neither critic, nor censor, nor advocate.
Just a servant in the vineyard. Frank
saw it that way, I believe, and he furthered
the cause of much-needed A.A.research
by simply making himself available with
a cheery attitude. I shall miss him deeply
and spoke to him by phone not long before
his death. He was still friendly, cheery,
and helpful. AAs owe Frank M. much.
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