The city of Hot Springs will be a quieter place with the passing of Franklin Anthony "Frank" Birkholt, Tuesday, Nov. 19, 2013. He was active in the community as a Fall River County Commissioner and Scout Master for Boy Scout Troop 22. His towing service and service station made him a hero to stranded tourists. But perhaps his greatest joy was in honoring the work of others. He and several friends worked to reward members of the community for their outstanding contributions with either the Traveling Culvert or the Traveling Outhouse awards. Many people were delighted to find a four-foot length of concrete culvert or a turn-of-the-century outhouse on their front lawn after a particularly meritorious deed.

He enthusiastically celebrated the weddings of friends and family by rewiring their cars and redecorating their homes. Once the newlyweds figured out how to start their car, they would discover the lights now sounded the horn and the radio turned on the lights. One lucky couple returned home to a living room full of balloons and a waterbed filled with concrete inscribed with a romantic heart.

His penchant for pranks started at a young age. He lit up the halls of Selby High School when he colored his hair green and pierced his ear. He even gifted the school principal with a skunk. These activities allowed his parents, Charley and Viola Birkholt, to become well acquainted with school administrators. After high school he served in the United States Marine Corp for two years and returned sporting a nice tattoo of a skunk with a halo.

A man of varied interests, Frank was an avid gun collector and enthusiastically decimated the prairie dog population of Fall River County. He may have been the only member of the NRA who was a registered Democrat. He loved water skiing with his family at Angostura Reservoir and innovated the sport dragging his kids around the lake strapped to a chair on skies or a parachute. But, fishing was probably his greatest passion. Whether it was at his favorite spot on Angostura, getting to northern Saskatchewan as soon as the ice came off, or going after halibut in the Gulf of Alaska, the only thing he loved more than going fishing was sharing the experience with his friends.

Somewhat of an armchair philosopher, his favorite piece of advice was "Today is the first day of the rest of your life." The young people who spent time with Frank knew at any moment they could be imbued with bits of wisdom such as "before you put your body in motion, put your brain in motion" or "It takes three things to drive a car gas, keys and brains. Make sure you have them all."

He will be especially missed by his wife, Fran who shared many of his adventures; children Marty Birkholt (Barb), Elkhorn, NE; Kay Birkholt, Morris Plains, NJ; Mary Utpadel (Brad), Faribault, MN; and Frank Birkholt (Alisa), Hot Springs; his pontoon crew of nine grandchildren; and brothers Charles Birkholt, Selby, and William Birkholt, Hill City. He was preceded in death by his parents Charley and Viola Birkholt.

Wake services will be at 7 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 24, at St. Anthony of Padua Catholic Church.

Mass of Christian Burial will be at 11 a.m. Monday, Nov. 25, at the church, with the Rev. Kerry Prendiville officiating.

Burial will be at 11 a.m. Wednesday, Nov. 27 at Black Hills National Cemetery near Sturgis.

A memorial has been established for the building fund of St. Anthony's parish.