Frank Peter Mertes

April 2, 1935 ~ July 19, 2015
Frank Peter Mertes
On July 19, 2015, of Oakton, Virginia. Beloved husband of Corinne Mertes for 55 years, father of Sheila Johnson and grandfather of Lisa Johnson. Born in Chicago, Illinois, on April 2, 1935. He received a B.S. in Chemical Engineering from Northwestern University, Evanston, Illinois, in 1958 and a M.S. and Ph. D. in Nuclear Engineering from Iowa State University in 1962. He then moved to Virginia and was employed by Analytic Services, Inc. from 1962-68. He worked for TRW, Inc. from 1968-1990, where he directed several major projects under contracts to the Department of Defense and other government agencies. He took an early retirement in 1990 to devote more time to travel and photography.
Frank's lifelong interest in photography began as a teenager when he built his first darkroom. He was an active member of the Northern Virginia Photographic Society, served as president, and was named Photographer of the Year three times. Over 60 of his photos have juried into all-media exhibits of the Art League at the Torpedo Factory in Alexandria, the Vienna Arts Society, the Fairfax Arts League, and the Arts Council of Fairfax County.
In over 25 trips to Europe, Frank's camera was always in his hand. He also photographed extensively in South America, the Orient, Morocco, and Kenya, as well as the United States.
Frank's interest in learning never ceased, and he enjoyed a wide variety of classes offered by the Osher Lifetime Learning Institute at George Mason University. He also was a dedicated bridge player.
He was a long-time member of The Church of the Holy Comforter, Vienna, Virginia, where he served on the finance committee and as an usher and offering counter.
Funeral services will be held at The Church of the Holy Comforter, 543 Beulah Road, Vienna, Virginia on Friday, July 24 at 12 PM. Interment private. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Capital Caring, 2900 Telestar Court, Falls Church, Virginia 22042. Online condolences may be offered to the family at: www.moneyandking.com.
Funeral Home:
Money & King Funeral Home
171 W. Maple Ave.
Vienna, VA
US 22180
On July 19, 2015, of Oakton, Virginia. Beloved husband of Corinne Mertes for 55 years, father of Sheila Johnson and grandfather of Lisa Johnson. Born in Chicago, Illinois, on April 2, 1935. He received a B.S. in Chemical Engineering from Northwestern University, Evanston, Illinois, in 1958 and a M.S. and Ph. D. in Nuclear Engineering from Iowa State University in 1962. He then moved to Virginia and was employed by Analytic Services, Inc. from 1962-68. He worked for TRW, Inc. from 1968-1990, where he directed several major projects under contracts to the Department of Defense and other government agencies. He took an early retirement in 1990 to devote more time to travel and photography.
Frank's lifelong interest in photography began as a teenager when he built his first darkroom. He was an active member of the Northern Virginia Photographic Society, served as president, and was named Photographer of the Year three times. Over 60 of his photos have juried into all-media exhibits of the Art League at the Torpedo Factory in Alexandria, the Vienna Arts Society, the Fairfax Arts League, and the Arts Council of Fairfax County.
In over 25 trips to Europe, Frank's camera was always in his hand. He also photographed extensively in South America, the Orient, Morocco, and Kenya, as well as the United States.
Frank's interest in learning never ceased, and he enjoyed a wide variety of classes offered by the Osher Lifetime Learning Institute at George Mason University. He also was a dedicated bridge player.
He was a long-time member of The Church of the Holy Comforter, Vienna, Virginia, where he served on the finance committee and as an usher and offering counter.
Funeral services will be held at The Church of the Holy Comforter, 543 Beulah Road, Vienna, Virginia on Friday, July 24 at 12 PM. Interment private. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Capital Caring, 2900 Telestar Court, Falls Church, Virginia 22042. Online condolences may be offered to the family at: www.moneyandking.com.
Funeral Home:
Money & King Funeral Home
171 W. Maple Ave.
Vienna, VA
US 22180
Our deepest sympathy and condolences; do not hesitate to let us know if we can help in any way. ~Tracy & Stephen
Dear Corinne- my thoughts and prayers are with you and your family especially during this sad time. I always enjoyed my conversations with both you and Frank at several AAUW events. I am not able to attend any services due to work commitments, but I will be there in spirit.
thinking of you at this sad time.
Corinne and Family, I am so sorry on your loss. Frank was such an accomplished and interesting person. You are in my thoughts and prayers at this difficult time. Sincerely, Mary Schoen
My heart goes out to you Corinne and your family on your sad loss. Thinking of you with much sympathy.
What a wonderful man. Blessings to all of his family.
A good neighbor in earlier years, a great photographic buddy and a good friend. We will miss Frank, and we’re thinking of Corrine and family.
Dear Corrine, Please accept my sincere condolences on the loss of your husband, Frank. I cannot imagine the sadness you must feel on losing such a vibrant and loving part of your life. You and your family are in my prayers.
Words cannot express the loss when we lose a good friend, and Frank was my best friend. RIP, good friend. Bill
I am so very sorry for your loss. My thoughts are with you.
You are in my thoughts and prayers. Will be in touch. God Bless you and your family. Millie
My deepest condolences. I worked with Frank at TRW. We both began there in 1968 and were good friends. He was a good and decent guy.
I want to send my condolences to Corinne and Sheila. I only knew him for a short time but he was a good man. You are in my thoughts and prayers and I am sorry for your lose.
Frank leaves a wonderful legacy of a competent, productive life, a cheerful, friendly demeanor, and a pleasant fellow church-mate. We have fond memories of the foyers and good conversation at your home. Corinne, our condolences, deepest sympathy, and prayers go out to you.
God promises to reunite us with our dead loved ones. He mentions the Earth will be restored to paradise conditions with an abundance of peace. God never lies (ISA 33:24).
Dearest Corinne, we have many fond memories of our time with you and Frank. He was a wonderful human being and the world is a little less than it was with his passing.