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Frank Metzler, 87, passed away peacefully on Monday, December 8, 2008 surrounded by his children and grandchildren at the Veteran's Hospital in Albuquerque. Herman Francis Metzler was born in Amarillo, TX on Tuesday, June 7, 1921 to Herman J. and Charlotte E. Metzler and was raised in Springerville, AZ. He attended the University of New Mexico from 1938-1943, where he obtained a degree in Civil Engineering. After graduation, he attended the Naval Academy in Annapolis, MD one of the Navy's "Ninety Day Wonders". Frank enlisted in the Navy in 1942, just after the attack on Pearl Harbor and served in the Pacific Basin as Chief Engineer on the Destroyer USS Hunt, escort to Admiral William Halsey's flagship, the USS Missouri. During the war, Frank was awarded a letter of commendation for his part in the rescue of 422 survivors of the aircraft carrier USS Franklin. In addition to his Commendation decoration, he also wore the American Defense and Asiatic-Pacific ribbons. Mr. Metzler married Shirley E. Bartlett in 1947 and raised a family of ten children. Frank was a licensed Professional Civil Engineer and lifetime member of the N.M. Professional Engineers & Surveyors, employed by the State of New Mexico and several private firms, however, the love of his life was cattle ranching. For 17 years, during the time of its founding, design and construction, Frank managed Paradise Community Services in Paradise Hills. "Pancho", as he was known to some of his close friends, raised cattle and horses in the areas of Bosque and Chama, NM and in the Manzano Mountains south of Albuquerque. Mr. Metzler is survived by his brother, Dr. Charles Metzler of Lubbock, TX; his sisters Alice Flournoy of San Diego, CA and Katherine Millard of Albuquerque; children, Charlotte L., John F., Caroline E., Gerald B., Anne T. Schaub, Thomas J., M. Katy, James A., Ross E., 12 grandchildren, nine great-grandchildren and his partner and friend Sara R. Casias. He was preceded in death by his daughter, Helen Eileen; and his dear mother and father, Charlotte Elizabeth and Herman Joseph. Services will be held on Friday, December 12, 2008 at Immaculate Conception Church in Tome, N.M., beginning with a viewing at 10:00 a.m., a Rosary at 10:30 a.m. with the Mass at 11:00 a.m. Interment will follow at Tome Cemetery and a reception at the Parish Hall. In lieu of flowers, please make donations to the Immaculate Conception Church, 7 Church Loop, Tome, NM, 87060 or the New Mexico Boy's Ranch, 6209 Hendrix Rd. N.E., Albuquerque, NM 87110. Please visit our online guestbook for Frank at RememberTheirStory.com French 1111 University Blvd. NE (505) 843-6333
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