Frank Joseph Michelberger

Frank was born September 5th 1937 in New York City to Franz Michelberger and Paula Schweikert. Franz and Paula were both employed by German nobility in the Schwarzwald. Franz was a game warden and Paula a maid. They were encouraged to flee Germany before WW2 and came to New York City.

Frank acquired a chicken farm in New Jersey where Frank was raised with his older brother Hans. Frank boasted he built his own treehouse 50ft high in the trees. Hans died a young man, lost at sea while serving our country in the US Navy. Frank and Hans were very close, and Frank continued to speak fondly of him even after all these years. Frank played the organ and accordion and started performing in bars when he was 17. He started a band with some close friends, and they called themselves “The Jersey Ramblers”.

Frank moved to Las Vegas, and he married our mother, Patricia Gallo in 1963. They divorced in 1972. Patricia already had three daughters, Debi, Jamie, and Cari, which Frank adopted as his own. Frank said, “I didn’t want them to think I loved them any less just because I wasn’t their biological father.” His daughters recall him as a loving and kind father. After 9 years of marriage Patricia and Frank welcomed a baby boy, Gary.

Frank was handy with tools and went to technical college right out of High School to become a machinist. After moving to Las Vegas, he joined the Carpenter’s union and had a part in building some of Las Vegas’ most iconic properties including the Dunes, the Sands, and the Tropicana. He also had the pleasure to work at the Nevada test site. He later joined the Las Vegas Fire Department and served for 20 years as a fireman.

Frank was runner and ran the Las Vegas marathon. He was also a short-wave enthusiast and spent many hours chatting with people all over the world. Frank liked to read, especially philosophy and spirituality. He boasted that he had read every book on his bookshelves. Frank was an active member of Boulder City’s “New Life Foundation” led by Vernon Howard. Frank spoke of Vernon with great admiration, but his warmest memory was taking care of Vernon before he passed away in 1992. Frank frequently quoted Vernon and would say, “You do not exist. It is the false ‘I’ that only thinks it is real

Frank is survived by his three daughters, Debi, Jamie, and Cari, and one son, Gary. His daughters gave him too many grandchildren to mention here, and his son gave him none.

“My name is Phyllis. I came to BC in 1977 and joined New Life right away. I met Frank quite often during classes and enjoyed his quiet demeanor and nice smile. He used to play accordion at all the potluck dinners we had. He had his own office in the building, and I would visit him sometimes and we had really nice chats. When I moved into Gingerwood where he lived, we would go for walks and talk about the classes and other worldly things. He was a really good friend and even these last few months I'd see Frankl (my nickname for him) almost every other day. We still chatted and laughed together until he couldn't anymore. I miss him already. He was a wonderful man who is now in a beautiful place. Rest in Peace, Frankl.”

“Our Dad to me was a very caring person. Unselfish in every way. He loved us very much in his own way to the best he could. After he got sick, we connected almost daily. Any visits or calls he was always concerned to ask, ‘How are you doing?’ And he would always reassure me that if I needed anything just to let him know. I’ll always love you”. -Debi

“They say that the formative years of a child are the most important. Frank was the only father that I knew, moreover, he was my daddy in every way the first 10 years of my life. In the years ahead, visits were not as often because of the miles, but every visit was meaningful and oh that smile, thank you daddy, I love you. -Jamie

“I’ll always remember my dad as a loving father who rescued me many times as a child. If I fell off my bike, I would call for my dad, if I had difficulty swimming, I would yell for my dad…… and he always would be there for me, in a moment’s notice. God provided a wonderful earthly father for me.” -Cari

“When dad got sick, I had the opportunity to move to BC and be with him for his final years. The whole family was drawn closer as a result. All of us reconnected with our dad and with each other. He never realized how his illness drew us all closer. He kept telling me, “I don’t want to be a burden on you. You need to go live your life.” Thank you dad. -Gary

Funeral services will be held on Friday, the 15th of August 2025 at 11:00am at Grace Community Church. Address is 1150 Wyoming St, Boulder City, NV 89005. Friends may leave condolences or memories at www.starmortuary.com