Frans Rudolf Bax

Bax, Frans Rudolf
Of Appleton, formerly of Fort Wayne, IN

Age, 85, died Saturday, December 4, 2004. Frans was born April 24, 1919, in Leiden, Netherlands. From 1936-1940 he served as a midshipman in the Royal Netherlands Naval Academy, graduating Valedictorian, and was in the last graduating class before Germany invaded Holland in 1940. After his ship was sunk in 1942 he spent over three years in Japanese POW camps and was subsequently liberated by American troops and came to the United States in September 1945. On December 8, 1945, he married Constance Chenette, she preceded him in death on March 21, 1972. Frans served 18 years in the Dutch Navy until his retirement in 1954. Following retirement, Frans immigrated to the US, obtained his Engineering License and began working for GE in various locations including DeKalb, IL; Murfreesboro, TN; Danville, IL; and Fort Wayne, IN. In August of 1977 he married Dorothy Heckler. Frans has resided at Touchmark in Appleton since 2002. He was an avid golfer, loved to travel, read, enjoyed discussing current events and took joy in following his children and grandchildren's activities and growth.

Frans is survived by his wife Dottie, a cousin Hermance, in Spain; his children Frans (Cheryl) Bax, Jr., Washington, DC; Dr. Jan Bax, Appleton; and Constance (Bill) Douglas, Washington, DC. He is further survived by his grandchildren Charlie Abel, Christine, Andrew, Lindsey, and Jonathan Bax; Christopher, Lauren and Reagan Douglas; his niece Helen (Enno) Warffemius and their children Vanesse, Erik, and nephew Jan (Anika) Bax; and his great niece Yeanou, all of The Hague, Netherlands.

Memorial services for Frans will be held on Saturday, December 18, 2004, at 1:30 PM at the Touchmark Chapel, 2601 Touchmark Dr., with Fr. John Bergstadt officiating. Interment will be in Highland Park Cemetery, Fort Wayne, IN. A memorial fund is being established for providing books in the Touchmark Library.

WICHMANN FUNERAL HOMES
537 N. Superior St. 739-1231
www.wichmannfuneralhomes.com