Heights High alumnus returns after 75 years

On Jan. 28, 1937, Meyer “Mike” Frank graduated from Cleveland Heights High School and began a life full of adventure, love and family. Seventy-five years later, almost to the day, he returned to Heights High for a visit filled with fond memories and life stories.

Frank had lived at Bellefaire orphanage and walked to the school every day. His favorite memories include playing basketball and volleyball, and, most of all, he fondly recalled his shorthand and English teacher.

After graduation, Frank hitchhiked to California, joined the army, and was assigned to a division with orders to interview generals, soldiers, and prisoners for the war archives. “I had learned shorthand at Heights High and that landed me a great job in the army,” he said. During his service, he traveled throughout Europe recording people’s stories about World War II.

After the war he went to Africa and worked in Tanzania, Swaziland and South Africa. He also met the woman who became his wife. His adventures in Africa included contracting tick bite fever, jobs as sheriff and bartender, and working in the security business. “I’ve had a full and wonderful life!” Frank said.

Frank arrived at Heights High, after a 75-year hiatus, with his diploma, report cards, graduation program, and one of his sons. “My grades weren’t great, but they weren’t bad,” he said. The grading system in 1937 consisted of five options: E (excellent), G (good), F (fair), P (poor) and D (failure). Superintendent Frank L. Wiley, whose name graces the CH-UH middle school, signed his diploma.

Asked what brings a man back to his high school after more than seven decades, Frank replied, “I guess it is the memories of people—like an English teacher who required this shy boy to recite poetry out loud.”

Frank, now 93-years-old and a master storyteller, added that perhaps that high school English teacher had something to do with launching a young man’s life—around the world and back home again.