Frank "Tiny" Rutherford, 65, of Traverse City passed away as a result of an auto accident, Sun May 6, 2012. He was born Mar 6, 1947 in Traverse City to Julian and Jeanne (Peacock) Rutherford. Frank graduated from Elk Rapids High School in 1967. Frank has, overtime, been working on his Associate's Degree, in Fire Science through Lansing Community College. On Sep 23, 1978 he married the love of his life Jacqueline Sieting. Together they raised two daughters.
Frank was a professional driver his whole adult life. He drove wreckers for Ward Eaton, transported petroleum in supertankers, and drove buses for Bay Area Transit Authority. Frank retired from BATA two years ago, after more than twenty years of service in driving and dispatch. Frank's lifelong passion and calling was firefighting. He began his career as a firefighter as a seventeen year old volunteer in Elk Rapids. His retirement allowed him to devote his time and energy to the Grand Traverse Metro Fire Department, most recently serving as the Chief Water Supply Officer. Over the years, his involvement with the fire department has included training and mentoring others as he sought to shape the next generations of firefighters. For years, Frank has led the Explorers Troop, a coed branch of the Boy Scouts of America that provides early fire and rescue training to teenagers interested in careers in emergency services. He found great joy in sharing his passion with others.
Frank was known as a gentle giant. He carried a smile and a kind word for all he met, and he ahs touched countless lives in the community. Through this work at BATA, he was able to specialize in providing compassionate service to individuals with special needs. Through his work as an emergency responder, he saved lives, soothed hurts, and calmed fears.
Frank was a member of the Rod and Gun Clubs of Charlevoix and Marion and an active member of the NRA. He taught hunter safety, including youth courses, and was passionate about sharing his love of the outdoors and shooting sports with others. In recent years, he has also enjoyed outdoor and wildlife photography.
Since his youth, he has rebuilt and ridden several motorcycles. Frank loved horses, and was a member of the Grand Traverse Sheriff's Department Mounted Patrol in the 1970's. In more recent years, he added computers to his list of hobbies, and donated many rebuilt computers to students and families. He was also a licensed Ham radio operator and member of the Cherryland Amateur Radio Club.
His family would like to express their gratitude for all the support that has been shown over the last few days. To celebrate the memory of Frank, they invite those who attend his visitation and memorial service to participate in a video tribute by sharing their own "Frank Stories" and memories.
Frank will be greatly missed by his loving wife, Jacqui; his daughters, Alexia Rutherford of Chicago, IL, and Georgia (Nathan) O'Brien of Traverse City; his sister Mary (Dale) Kass of Howard City; his mother in law Genevieve Sieting of South Boardman; his thirteen brothers and sisters in law; and his many nieces and nephews and close friends.
Frank was preceded in death by his parents, Julian and Jeanne Rutherford, lifelong residents of Elk Rapids.
A visitation was held Sun, May 13, 2012 from 2 to 4pm and 6 to 8pm at the Covell Funeral Home in Traverse City. A memorial service was held Mon, May 14, 2012 at 6pm at New Hope Church in Acme. Memorial contributions may be directed to St Jude's Children's Hospital or Cherryland Humane Society.
