Frank Ellis Bazler, age 87, loving husband, community leader and passionate supporter of The Ohio State University, passed away peacefully at Hospice of Miami County’s Inpatient Unit in Troy, Ohio on May 12, 2017.  Born on January 17, 1930 in Columbus, Ohio to Frank H. and Minnie (Rucker) Bazler.  Frank is survived by his wife of 62 years, Virginia “Ginni” (Hutchison) Bazler and many other loved relatives.

Frank graduated from Columbus North High School in 1947.  Following graduation from The Ohio State University and the College of Law in 1953, Frank served as an Air Force JAG officer for two years before moving to Troy, Ohio where Frank was a partner in the law firm of Miller, Bazler, McAdow and Schlemmer.  In 1971, he joined Hobart Corporation’s legal department, spending more than 23 years there, rising to corporate attorney and assistant secretary.

Frank’s feelings and passion for The Ohio State University was only surpassed by his love and devotion to Ginni.  In 1998 they received the John B. Gerlach Sr. Development Volunteer Award for their contributions to the university.   They have also received the OSU Alumni Association’s Citizenship Award and in 2014 the University’s Distinguished Service Award.  In 2016 Frank received OSU’s Moritz College of Law Alumni Society Distinguished Alumnus Award.  

Being a strong believer in the advancement of the legal profession, Frank served as president of the Ohio Bar Association (1984-1985), the Miami County Bar Association (1966), the Ohio Municipal Attorneys Association (1970), Moritz Law Alumni Society (1981), and the Moritz Henry Folsom Page Society along with serving on the American Bar Association’s House of Delegates for 16 years, the American Judicature Society and National Conference of Bar Presidents.

Frank served the community of Troy, Ohio with  fervor equal to his commitment to Ohio State. The Troy United Fund, Kiwanis Club (past President), Troy Museum Corporation, Overfield Tavern Museum, Brukner Nature Center, Troy Community Improvement Corporation, Board of the Dorothy Love Retirement Community, Board of the Ohio Presbyterian Homes, Miami County Board of Health and Troy Senior Citizens Center are among the many beneficiaries of his time and expertise. In 1957 Frank was Troy's Outstanding Young Man, in 1961 was One of Five Outstanding Young Men in Ohio, and in 1985 the Chamber of Commerce honored him with its Distinguished Citizen Award. In l988 he was selected Grand Marshall of the Troy Strawberry Festival Parade.

Services will be held on Tuesday, May 16, 2017 at 11:00am at the First Presbyterian Church in Troy, Ohio.  Burial will follow in Riverside Cemetery, Troy with full military honors presented by Veterans Memorial Honor Guard of Troy.  Friends may call on the family from 4:00pm – 7:00pm on Monday at Baird Funeral Home, Troy and from 10:00am -11:00am on Tuesday at the church.  In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to The Ohio State University, Moritz College of Law, 55 W. 12th Avenue, Columbus, OH  43210. Condolences may be expressed to the family at www.bairdfuneralhome.com.

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