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Georgia Tech Alumni Magazine Vol. 87, No. 05 2011

Page 71

Frank Ziegler, Dodd’s Star Fullback, Dies Frank Ziegler was one of eight children born to Theodore and Elizabeth Ziegler. All seven of the family’s boys would attend and graduate from Georgia Tech. In 1962, the mother of the accomplished Ziegler clan was named an honorary alumna of Georgia Tech. Frank Richard Ziegler, IM 50, of Gainesville, Ga., died March 6. He was 87. As a youngster in College Park, Ga., Mr. Ziegler helped his family by running an Atlanta Journal paper route. At 16, he followed in his brothers’ footsteps by enrolling at Tech. A year later, he interrupted his studies to enlist in the Navy and served nearly four years. His family said in an Atlanta JournalConstitution obituary that Mr. Ziegler kept himself in shape by spending hours running on the sandy beaches in California. Upon his return to Tech in 1946, Mr. Ziegler joined the Tech football team. Coach Bobby Dodd called Ziegler “the best fullback Georgia Tech has had since Father Lumpkin.” Mr. Ziegler, an All-Southern team honoree, was nicknamed Zoomer and Frank Ziegler, top row, at right, and his brothers, all Tech graduates, gathered around their mother in 1962. Ziggy the Cat by Yellow Jackets fans. Tech campus. He eventually joined his brother at the business In 1948, Mr. Ziegler signed a contract full time and helped secure accounts with Delta, General Motors with the Philadelphia Eagles. Despite facing much larger playand Lockheed. Mr. Ziegler served as vice president of Ziegler ers, he enjoyed success in the NFL. He led the league in yards Tools for 47 years. He was known to be in the office each day by gained in 1950 and helped the Eagles claim a 1949 champion6 a.m. ship. Mr. Ziegler was preceded in death by his brothers WaldeMr. Ziegler spent the offseason during his pro football career mar, ChE 32; Carl, ME 35; Fred, TE 39; Walter, ME 40; and John, working with his brother Bill, who started Ziegler Tools in 1948. ME 49. He is survived by his brother Bill Ziegler, IM 41. He helped his brother open a store on Luckie Street near the Frank H. Gurry Sr., EE 45, Text 48, of The Woodlands, Texas, formerly of Aurora, Ill., on Feb. 6. Mr. Gurry retired as president of Aurora Bleachery Inc. after 40 years with the company. While at Tech, he was an alternate captain of the varsity track team, president of Sigma Chi fraternity and a member of ANAK and Omicron Delta Kappa. He also was a company commander in the Navy

V-12 program at Tech. A retired Navy commander, he served as a gunnery officer on the USS Cogswell in World War II and on the USS Rowe during the Korean War. He also served as commander of the Aurora Naval Reserve Unit and was a charter member of Aurora Council 247 of the Navy League of the United States, serving as its president and a director. He was a choir member,

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deacon, Sunday school teacher and an assistant Scout leader at his church. Survivors include his son Frank Henry Gurry Jr., IE 71, and brother, Ellis T. Gurry Jr., IE 54. Albert W. Hainlin, ME 47, of Atlanta, on Feb. 15. He served in the Army during World War II and following graduation from Tech went to the University of Miami, at which he

May/June 2011

Georgia Tech Alumni Magazine

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Georgia Tech Alumni Magazine Vol. 87, No. 05 2011 by Georgia Tech Alumni Association - Issuu