07.07.2010
Frank Scarborough 1947-2010
We have received reports that have been sadly confirmed that Frank Scarborough previously of Grove, Snorkel and UpRight, passed away this morning following a massive stroke last Friday. We understand that he was on a life support machine until he passed away at 6:00am Kansas/Central time USA. He would have been 63 on July 20th.
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Frank Scarbourough (R) with Bill Jansink enjoying watching the work get done at Platformer Days 2006
Scarborough spent most of his life in the crane and access industry, starting out in the management training programme of Grove Manufacturing in Shady Grove in late 1979. He progressed though a number of positions including marketing services, however his favoured job was sales. When anyone asked what his job was he would often say "I am just a pedlar". He moved to Snorkel in the mid 1986 where he played a major role in that company's success as a district manager and then vice president of sales and marketing.
He left Snorkel in 1992, joining UpRight and moving to Selma California where he was vice president of North American sales, marketing and customer service, later adding Asia to his responsibilities. With the demise of UpRight’s US business in 2001 he left the company and after a period out of work rejoined Snorkel in St Joseph in 2003 as chief operating officer. The company's assets and property had been acquired by a group of local investors following its closure by owners Textron/Omniquip.
He played a major role in taking the closed Snorkel business back into the mainstream powered access market and built up a solid and profitable business. The success of his and his colleagues efforts was demonstrated by is sale in 2007 to Tanfield for $125 million. He remained with the business but eventually decided that the new ownership structure was not for him leaving in mid 2008 just a year after the sale.
Since then he has worked with American Crane and Tractor Parts in Kansas City but was planning at least a partial retirement.
Frank leaves behind his wife of 43 years - Bonnie and daughters Leslie and Marielle and his first grandchild Sofia - just a few months old and already the 'apple of his eye'. He will be missed by a great many people the world over. And there will be many today who will recall with fondness this honest, open, trustworthy man who loved people and could bring a smile to your face and yet be incredibly frustrating at the same time.
His eldest daughter Leslie said: "We have not determined his memorial plans- but you know my dad, it will be a celebration, not a funeral". On behalf of all of us here at Vertikal our thoughts and condolences go out to his family on his untimely and premature passing.
Frank was a very special - oft misunderstood - but much loved individual
UPDATE
The family of Frank Scarborough has announced that there will be a ‘Celebration of Life’ ceremony held to mark his passing on Saturday, the 17th July at the St. Joseph Benton Club, 402, North 7th street, St Joseph Missouri, starting at 13:00 Central time.
Anna Pickersgill
It was always a pleasurable experience to catch up with Frank and Bonnie at trade shows down under over the past years.
They were always very memorable times, and we will remember them fondly.
Our sincere condolences to Bonnie and family, on the passing of a very passionate and dedicated man. I will miss ya big American hugs Frank.
Our thoughts are with you
Anna and Ross Pickersgill
Accessman Group of Companies
Christchurch
NEW ZEALAND
Leon Falde
This is sad news indeed. I met Frank at Snorkel and developed a very good working relationship with him and a good friendship. This was notible since he was in Sales and I was in Engineering. About a year after he moved to UpRight he let me know that they were looking for a boom Engineer. I applied and was hired. Working together there we got to know each other better. I left UpRight a year or so after he did and we lost touch. It seems kind of strange but I was just thinking about him a few days ago wondering where he was. My deepest sympathy goes out to Bonnie and the girls. May god be with you.
Leon A. Falde
Pat Schmetzer
It is great sadness that I learn of the tragic passing of my friend, Frank. As many of us know, everything took a back seat to family for Frank. So I also share in the condolences to Bonnie and the girls.
In business, Frank examplified the value and the importance of the building and nurturing of personal relationships. Frank never met a person in this business that he didn't like.
Frank came to UpRight in 1992 and immediately did his part to fortify the strentgh of the global UpRight family through partnerships and most importantly, friendships.
Again, all the best to Bonnie, Leslie, Marielle and Sofia.
Pat Schmetzer
Barecat
Very sad news. I remember Frank very well> Frank invited me to join Snorkel again in 2004 and we had very good times together. I am happy that he was able to enjoy the last good years in our industry. The picture with this article does reflectthis perfectly. Frank was a warm and understanding person. Condolences to Bonnie and his daughters. My wife and I remember very well the good times we have spent together with the Scarborough family.
Bill (Snorkel) Jansink.
Alf Odrell
WE ARE MANY HERE IN SCANDINAVIA AND THE BALTIC COUNTRIES WHO ARE TODAY IN SHOCK AND MOURNING A VERY APPRECIATED COLLEAGUE AND A VERY GOOD FRIEND.
FRANK SCARBOROUGH WILL BE REMEMBERED HERE IN THE NORTH AS A VERY PROFESSIONAL AND COMPETENT PERSON IN POWERED ACCESS,WHO ALSO WAS EASY TO GET FRIENDLY TO.
OUR THOUGHT ALSO GO TO BONNIE AND THE GIRLS WHO TOGETHER WITH FRANK SHOW MANY OF US A VERY
APPRECIATED HOSPITALITY IN THEIR PRIVATE HOME, ON OUR MANY TRIPS TO FRESNO.
FROM FRANK'S MANY SCANDINAVIAN FRIENDS
THROUGH
ALF ODRELL
RETIRED COLLEAGUE FROM
UPRIGHT/SNORKEL
SCANDINAVIA
Poh Boon Lim
Truly a person that I respected and admired.
Very caring and thoughtful.
Will be missed by many in Asia.