Remembering Frank Young

By Marilyn Shoenfeld

I have known Frank and Becky for at least 23 years, or as long as I have been on the Board of the WVHC.  My husband, Peter Shoenfeld (dec’d), became friends with Frank when WVHC was opposing the Backbone Mountain Wind Project in Tucker County. This was in the late 1990’s when the planning was taking place.  Peter was against the project from the start–Frank not so much.  There was much arguing back and forth.  Frank’s sharp wit and common sense approach contrasted with Peter’s mathematical view of the world.  The combination produced some interesting discussions.  Frank eventually joined Peter and the WVHC in opposing the project.  They met with the developer many times and eventually got the project trimmed back so it was further away from Dolly Sods.

Frank would stay at our home whenever there was an event in the Canaan Valley area.  He would always bring rose` wine.  We would sit around and listen to his stories about growing up in West Virginia and talk about the current political scene. His pithy comments had us in stitches.  Peter’s health started declining but Frank would still visit him.

I am very sorry to hear of his passing and will miss him.