Ronald S. Frankel Lt. Col US Army (Ret.)

It is with profound sadness that we announce the passing of Ronald S. Frankel, 80, after an unexpected cerebrovascular accident. Ron was loved and adored by his family and friends and highly respected by his colleagues, whom he worked alongside with during his forty year career in public service as an Attorney-At-Law.

Born on December 31, 1943 in Brooklyn, New York to parents Max and Margot, he was raised in Miami, graduating from Coral Gables High School, and the University of Florida with his Bachelor’s and subsequent Juris Doctorate in 1968. Ron also received a Master of Laws degree from George Washington University law school in 1973. For 20 years, he proudly served his country as a Judge Advocate Officer in the United States Army, retiring as a Lieutenant Colonel in 1989.

Ron never sat still, and after moving to St. Petersburg with his late wife, Dr. Sharon Perlman Frankel in 1988, he continued to serve for 10 years in the Veterans Administration Office of General Counsel, as well as a decade as an Assistant State Attorney of Florida in the Sixth Judicial Circuit, Child Welfare Division. He was young at heart and thoroughly enjoyed teaching future professionals, administrative law and business law classes at both Stetson Law school and Eckerd College until recently, only sidelined by the sudden decline in his health.

He was an extremely active and long-term member of the American Society of Pediatric Nephrology (ASPN) Foundation, which he became involved in through his late wife. If you wanted to know where Ron was on most days, he was likely at Eckerd College attending a Hillel service, or engaging with students as part of the Academy of Senior Professionals at Eckerd College (ASPEC), where he served as the student liaison representative. We believe that if Eckerd College had a ROTC program he would’ve been a Triton instead of a Gator!

Previous to the pandemic, Ron rescued Greyhounds and was part of the pet therapy program with his many dogs over the years at All Children’s Hospital in St. Petersburg, bringing joy to children, families, and staff alike. His love of dogs is evident as he could be seen in his neighborhood walking his pup Ivey multiple times and miles per day, earning him the nickname “Walkathon Ron”.

He loved to travel and do anything in or around water; whether it be exploring sea life under the water while scuba diving, walking on the beach, or cruising to many beautiful destinations on cruise ships. Ron was even known to be one of the oldest students to take and pass a sailing class at the University of South Florida when he was in his 60s!

Ron was a true lover of life; in addition to the above, he loved his family, friends, cars, football, chocolate, exercising at the Y, and St. Petersburg. He was extremely kind, unassuming, passionate, loving, and will never be forgotten.

Ron is preceded in death by Dr. Sharon Perlman-Frankel. He is survived by his beloved partner, Naomi Korn and two adoring daughters Jaymie (Claire) and Meagen (Dom). He also leaves six beautiful grandchildren: Jackson, Alli, Clemente, Carina, Sophie, and Tony. The family wants to thank the staff at Accentcare Hospice at Oak Manor, Adam Prawer, MD, and Waymaker services, all of whom enabled us to provide Ron dignity and comfort in his final days.

Funeral services Have been rescheduled due to weather conditions, and will now be held at 10:00AM Tuesday, October 15th, at Temple Beth-El, 400 Pasadena Ave. S., St. Petersburg. Interment with full military honors will follow at Sarasota National Cemetery at 1:30 PM. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations in Ron’s memory to the charity of your choice.