GRAND RAPID, Mich.-- Petroleum and convenience store pioneer Frank B. Fehsenfeld has died, reported The Grand Rapids Press.
The 91-year-old Fehsenfeld spent his life in the gasoline and petroleum business. His grandfather built one of the first gas stations in Grand Rapids and by 1936, his grandson had founded Crystal Flash, with stations throughout the area. He was one of the first to introduce groceries and is believed to have been the first in the state of Michigan to convert a chain to self-serve stations in the early 1970s, his son Tom Fehsenfeld, [image-nocss] president of Crystal Flash Energy, told the newspaper.
Frank Fehsenfeld never really retired from the company, instead staying interested about an industry that evolved from coal to biofuel as energy sources, according to his son. He served as president of the Michigan Petroleum Association and was a member of the Grand Rapids Rotary Club, Round Table, East Congregational Church and was the most senior member of Cascade Hills Country Club.
My father always cared about this community and contributed to almost every major fund raising campaign anonymously, Tom Fehsenfeld said. He never wanted any fanfare, and there won't be any buildings named after him.
Frank Fehsenfeld was preceded in death by his wife of 61 years, Virginia Valk Fehsenfeld. He is survived by his five children, Nancy F. (Warren) Smith of Seattle WA; John A. Fehsenfeld of Las Vegas NV; Ruth Mary Fehsenfeld, Thomas V. (Carolyn) Fehsenfeld and William S. (Cecile) Fehsenfeld all of Grand Rapids; nine grandchildren; three great-grandchildren and one great-great-grandson; and two brothers, Fred M. (Barbara) Fehsenfeld Sr. and Mac (Nancy) Fehsenfeld, both of Indianapolis.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Virginia Valk Fehsenfeld Scholarship Fund in care of Grand Rapids Community Foundation.
CSP Daily News extends condolences to Frank Fehsenfeld's family, friends and colleagues.
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