Submitted By: Bismarck Rotary ClubThe Bismarck Rotary Club recently lost a long time member. Frank J. Bavendick, died March 8, 2018. He was 87 years old.
A native of Bismarck, he attended Bismarck Junior College, now Bismarck State College, and the University of North Dakota from which he graduated in 1952. In high school he participated in football, basketball and track, setting state records in track. He continued his participation in track and field at the University and retained a lifetime interest in athletics. In later life he became an avid skier and enjoyed hunting and hiking the North Dakota prairie.
During North Dakota's early 1950s oil boom, Frank joined a major oil company in its land department, eventually locating in Casper, Wyoming. In 1963 he ventured forth on his own, returned to Bismarck
and established Westex Petroleum Corporation dealing in oil and gas properties, real estate and
farming. During years of decline in oil exploration following the early boom, his astute investments in mineral properties continued and proved fortuitous when boom times returned to North Dakota.
Frank was the recipient of numerous awards for his industry service. He was named to a number of boards and commissions both private and governmental. On the national level he served as president of the American Association of Professional Land men. He also served on the boards of several non-profit organizations in his home state.
Serving many years as president of the Tom and Francis Leach Foundation, established by legendary North Dakota oil pioneer Tom Leach, Frank gained valuable insight on the power of philanthropy. When his own good fortune made it possible to make his own contributions to society, he made many generous gifts, often without fanfare. Among major gifts, he and his wife, Joanne, made the lead gift for the expansion of Bismarck's YMCA facility. His considerable contributions toward endowed scholarships to Bismarck State College was nationally recognized as unique in the nation for a two year institution.
Frank joined the Bismarck Rotary Club in 1965. For many years his annual report on the state of North Dakota's oil industry was a regular feature on the club's program schedule. His business and philanthropic endeavors took him far and wide but, when in town, he regularly attended club meetings where his good natured demeanor and wry sense of humor brightened the day.