[Congressional Record Volume 167, Number 198 (Monday, November 15, 2021)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1233]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




              HONORING THE LIFE OF FRANK D. HARGROVE, SR.

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. ROBERT J. WITTMAN

                              of virginia

                    in the house of representatives

                       Monday, November 15, 2021

  Mr. WITTMAN. Madam Speaker, it is with deep sadness but great respect 
that I take this time to remember Frank D. Hargrove, Sr., who passed 
away on October 16, 2021, at the age of 94. After serving in WWII in 
the Army Air Corps, Frank started his political career in the Virginia 
House of Delegates in 1981. He went on to serve for 28 years, which is 
the longest tenure of any state legislator in Hanover County's history.
  Frank was an adventurous young man, he learned to fly planes as a 
teenager and, enlisted in the Army Air Corps after graduating high 
school. After his service, he attended Virginia Tech where he often 
reminisced about his adventures with his airplane over his studies. 
Upon graduating, he joined his father's insurance business. He was a 
brilliant businessman; he assembled a team, and together they built up 
A.W. Hargrove Insurance Agency. He grew what started as a small family 
business into one of the largest independent insurance agencies in 
Virginia before selling it in 1997.
  When Frank married Oriana Robertson, she took credit for channeling 
his energy to productive ends. This same energy led Frank to teach 
himself to sail, pick-up long-distance biking and running, and be well 
known for his flying stories. In 1960, he and a group of friends 
promoted building the Hanover County Airport, which was eventually 
named after him in recognition of his work.
  In 1981, Frank was elected to the Virginia House of Delegates where 
he loved making the government work for his constituents and believed 
their trust had to be earned every day. He represented his constituents 
by serving in leadership on different committees, one being the Vice-
Chairman of the Commerce and Labor Committee. One of his proudest 
accomplishments was serving as the legislative member on the Board of 
Trustees of the Virginia War Memorial, where he was instrumental in 
securing funding to restore the Memorial Shrine and Building and to 
create the education center and programs. He spent his off time 
supporting charitable organizations and was especially proud of his 
work on the governing bodies of Ferrum College and Randolph-Macon 
College. Frank aligned his philosophy closely with that of Thomas 
Jefferson's maxim ``the government that governs best, governs least''. 
Although his constituents did not always agree with his stances, they 
continued to elect him until he retired.
  Frank's life was filled with patriotism and public service. He will 
be missed for his direct manner, vice grip handshake, and storytelling. 
He is survived by his children and their spouses, Dale Alderman 
(Richard Alderman), Frank Jr. (Elizabeth), Stewart (Lynn), and 
Wellesley (Kim), and grandchildren Oriana (Douglas Fletcher), Stewart 
(Dana), Sarah, Mark (Amber), Frank III, Madeleine, Mollie, Hannah, 
Graeme, and Bailey, and one great-grandchild, Stewart.
  Madam Speaker, I ask you to join me and countless others as we 
recognize the many contributions of Frank D. Hargrove, Sr.

                          ____________________