01/26/2026
✨ Until next time, Frank…✨
Yesterday, I had the privilege of eulogizing a dear loved one, that I considered a grandfather. Frank was a friend to many and stranger to none.
Our celebration of life was set to take place yesterday, Sunday January 25th. But unfortunately due to Winter Storm Fern, we had to modify the original plans. Thanks to FaceTime, I was able to share the eulogy with those that did make the venture out Rosie’s (Frank’s dear wife).
With her permission, I wanted to share a few words about Frank. This is the eulogy I performed in his honor 🖤
“ The Life of Frank Kutzsche
Celebration of Life
Sunday, January 25th, 2026
Hello, everyone and good afternoon to all of you! On behalf of Rosie and the Kutzsche family, I’d like to welcome you all here today to the celebration of life of one of our dear friends and loved ones, Frank Kutzsche.
My name is Amanda, and you can consider me, Frank and Rosie’s “adopted granddaughter”. I first met Frank and Rosie in 2018/2019, while I was working at Badcock Furniture in Boiling Springs. They had just recently moved to the area, from Florida, and they were looking for a recliner for Frank. After that first visit to the store, you couldn’t help but love this couple. So kind, warm, and welcoming. They continued to come to my store to fill their new home with furniture, but little did I know, this would be the beginning of a lifelong kinship.
Frank was born in Berlin, Germany, March 24th, 1944, during a very turbulent time in Germany’s history; surrounded by the turmoil of WWII and a vulnerable, ever-changing Germany. Despite the politics of his surroundings, Frank aspired to serve and protect. This will be a common theme, as you’ll come to see.
Our Dear Frank, at just 17 years old, became Germany’s youngest Air Force Pilot. I can’t imagine being 17 years old and being responsible for FLYING A PLANE! At that age, many of us are just learning to drive or getting our first car. Oh! How times have changed!
After making a career in the German Air Force, Frank eventually became a Ground Safety Engineer for NATO, to which he would eventually retire due to health reasons. But little did Frank know, NATO would change his life in more ways than he ever imagined. Not only would he enjoy a revered career in ground safety, but he would also fall in love with the love of his life, and soulmate in this life and every other one before and after this one, Rosie.
As in his career, Frank was dedicated to the people he cared about. During his time in NATO, he was very dedicated and determined to make Rosie his! Do you all know that Frank chased Rosie for 10 YEARS?! How many men do you know that have that much patience?! It’s hard enough to get attention from men for 10 seconds before they’re tuning you out! It must have been that infectious smile of hers, that swept him off his feet. Or the sweet, kind, and vivacious spirit that emanated from her being. If you all know Rosie, it’s hard NOT to fall in love with her.
In 1985, Frank and Rosie decided to tie the knot, in a small and intimate ceremony. If you’ve ever seen the photos of their wedding day, you’d think they were just leaving a posh party. Though their ceremony was sweet and simple, the love that radiated in their smiles of that day, is a love that is deeper than most will ever experience or comprehend. They were each other’s best friend, confidant, partner in crime, and partner in life. And if there is one piece of advice from Rosie that I can share with you, when it comes to love it’s this… and I’m paraphrasing… Because of Frank, Rosie finally knew and experienced true love. In her words, with Frank, it was “va va voom!”, “butterflies!” and she knew he was the one; her person. If you don’t feel that feeling, you’re not in “real” love.
We all strive for that kind of love in our lives, and Frank was so eager to give it. When he married Rosie in 1985, he not only swept her off her feet, but also her daughter, Chrissi. Frank accepted Chrissi as his own, and she will tell you confidently, that Frank is hers. Chrissi gained a father but also a big brother, in Mark. And is Mark not a spitting image of his father?! Mark, you share your father’s eyes, his smile, and his spirit.
So, as their families blended, so did their cultures as Frank and Rosie decided to make the move across the big pond in 1992, to settle in the Sunshine State of Florida. Though their journey began in Florida, that would not be their final home. They would move from Florida, to Nevada, BACK to Florida, and finally to South Carolina! In that time, they worked in real estate, had a beloved boat that they named after the band of their favorite song, the Esmeralda. If you’re curious of the song, we’ll be sure to play it later!
Also during this time of retirement for Frank, he took on quite an array of hobbies; traveling being a big one. If you’ve ever sat at Frank and Rosie’s dinner table, you have heard many a story on their numerous travels and cruises. Frank was a true adventurer of the world, flying its skies and sailing its waters. When he was finally planted his feet on land, he took up painting. Many of his pieces you’ll find on the walls of this home. So, if you get a moment, take a look around and admire Frank’s beautiful pieces. He also loved to watch and play golf! He may not have been a Rory McIlroy or a Tiger Woods, but he’d still have that strong competitive streak in him and say he’d outplay you in any game.
One game that Frank would play and battle for the last 12 or so years, is that of Parkinson’s. All of you spent a great deal of time with Frank to know, he didn’t let that P word get in his way. He remained telling his stories, he continued to educate you on most things history, teach you random facts about random knowledge, laugh and tell jokes, he remained steadfast in fighting this disease, and continued to live his life. Up until last year, Frank and Rosie were cruising and enjoying their spontaneous getaways to the casino.
Frank was the definition of a fighter. He was strong-willed, intelligent, kind, protective, loyal, and honest. There are many more words that could describe Frank and his character. There are many more words that could describe the way he made you feel. Once he got to know and converse with you, he’d take you under his wing and make you feel loved and appreciated. His home was warm and welcoming, and the door was always open, which is also a testament to his heart. I don’t have to convince you all of that; you all experienced it for yourselves.
I want to remind all of you to hold those thoughts, feelings, and memories of Frank, close to your heart. For no one is ever forgotten, as long as they remain near and dear to the heart. He lives through us all, and before we all depart and go our separate ways after this gathering, be sure to share a memory you have or a fond experience you had with Frank, with Rosie and the Kutzsche family. It’s a wonderful feeling to be surrounded by such love and to have been loved by Frank, so let’s continue to share his light, by lighting these calves in his honor. I will begin by lighting mine, and if a few of you would like to come up and light yours, then share your light with your neighbors until all the candles are lit.
Now that everyone’s candles are lit, I want to give a moment of silence and reflection to our dear friend and loved one, Frank. (Moment of silence, 15-30sec.)
I’d love to leave you all with a final reading from a Native American Prayer that has always been dear to me. I hope you all find the comfort and solace that it has brought me during times of grief and loss…
‘I give you this one thought to keep.
I am with you still, I do not sleep.
I am a thousand winds that blow,
I am the diamond glints on snow.
I am the sunlight on the ripened grain.
I am the gentle autumn rain.
When you awaken in the morning’s hush,
I am the swift, uplifting rush…
Of quiet birds in circled flight.
I am the soft stars that shine at night.
Do not think of me as gone,
For I am with you, in each new dawn.’
Thank you all again, for coming and spending this time with Rosie and the Kutzsche family. I invite you all to enjoy and indulge yourselves in the array of Berliner foods. These dishes are all customary to the region and area of Berlin that Frank grew up to experience during his youth. I hope you all enjoy, and let’s send a happy cheers and “Prost” to our dear Frank!”
Adieu my dear Frank… mit Liebe,
-Amanda 🖤
