Frank Offenhauser Jr. passed away on February 21, 2021 at the age of 95.
He was born on his mother’s birthday, December 5, 1925, to Frank Offenhauser Sr. and Marie Antoinett Maupas (Nettie), in Alhambra, CA. Frank was the third of Nettie and Frank Sr.
His Grandmother (Miller) lived to be 100 years old, and his Grandmother (Maupas) lived over 95 years old – Grandmother Maupas greatly influenced the three boys with cuisine and culture as she was French Basque.
Frank was encouraged to enlist in the United States Navy before his 17th birthday, as reform school didn’t sound interesting. Six days before his 17th birthday, his Navy career began.
He served on the US Snook, a submarine that sunk only 9 days after Frank’s change of duty, the USS Pelias, and US Coucal. He was discharged from that duty on December 10, 1946.
He then served on the USS Delta and was discharged for the second time in 1952. “Being on a 100 – man sub meant you slept where you worked – the torpedo room.”
Frank trained as a hard-hat Navy diver, which brought him to the Bikini Islands where he and other divers explored the damage from nuclear bomb test explosions.
Frank never lost his love for diving as he continued to book diving trips through Sierra Dive in Reno, traveling for several years to many exotic places all over the world.
Frank attended college in Mexico City, Mexico, and then returned home to marry a neighborhood friend, Joan. She and Frank raised two boys, Frank III and Phil.
Frank enjoyed the high wages being a “hod carrier” but realized he needed to aspire to the next step, which was his own Contractor’s License, forming Offenhauser Plastering, contracting in Fresno, CA and Bijou, CA. Offenhauser Development Co. (NV License 6579) developed Topaz Ranch Estates, NV, South Hills Estates, NV, Huffaker Hills, NV and Water Canyon Estates, NV.
In 1972, Frank traveled to Winnemucca, NV with thoughts of buying a ranch for retirement and escaping city politics.
Mayor Warren Scott drove Frank around town pointing out several properties, one area was a half-section acreage adjoining the City available for sale by the railroad. Two years later, Water Canyon Estates was an “approved planned subdivision” and the construction of one of Winnemucca’s most well-known neighborhoods began.
Offenhauser Development Co also purchased a substantial amount of property on the north side of Fairgrounds Road in Winnemucca, which is now owned by several entities.
Offenhauser Development Co donated the property known now as Highland Park to the City of Winnemucca, including the playground equipment which the company donated separately. Offenhauser Development Co also transferred the corner lot adjoining the park the Firehouse Project.
Frank served as President of the Builder’s Association of Northern Nevada from 1968 through 1969 and was a member of the Douglas County Planning Commission from 1970 through 1975. He also was a member of the Humboldt County Chamber of Commerce and the Tri-county Development Authority.
Frank’s support of athletic teams, school events, Safe Haven Wildlife Sanctuary, Boys & Girls Club, Humboldt County Duck’s Unlimited, etc. will continue and benefit the community of Winnemucca for many years in the future through the Frank Offenhauser Foundation.
Frank’s true passion was participating in the “Off-Road Racing Circuit”, racing for many years in the Mint 400, Frontier 500, Barstow 250, and the Mexican Baja 1000.
He enjoyed the engagement of racing with his teammates and family. Some of Frank’s other hobbies were piloting his Cherokee aircraft and hiking in the mountains of Nevada.
One of Frank’s greatest pleasures was building a home for his father in Huffaker Hills, Reno.
His dad resided there until his death. Frank insisted that friends and family use his get-away property at Lake Almanor, CA and join him on his vacations to the Cayman Islands.
Frank enjoyed morning coffee with his wonderful friends and buddies and then exercising And the Boys & girls Club.
He will be missed by them and his wife, Cheryl, his brother, George, his Grandson, Joe, many nieces and nephews and doc.
He will be missed by Cheryl’s family: Belinda, Noah, Joe H., Cathy, Jon & Family and Toni & Family.
A Celebration of Life will take place at a later date.
