I met Frank in 1965 at a Knight's of Columbus dance when he stuck out his hand and said, in a loud and clear voice, "Hi, my name is Frank Bryant. What's yours?"

From that day forward we were like brothers, traveling together, drinking together, surfing together, debating the ills of the world and celebrating weddings, business successes and crying together at funerals. I miss him greatly.

One Friday afternoon, in the early seventies, Frank along with Frank Collins and Tony Chicas came by my house and suggested we take a trip to Mexico. Leaving right then. As it was, I had a Ford van that was the best Mexico vehicle in the group as we could travel in it, sleep in it and all fit in it. 

I was very much in favor of the trip but regretfully related to the Troopers that I had no money so could not go this time. Frank B. (who always had money) offered me a $20 loan. I immediately said, well then, "Let's go." We went to Ensenada and had a great time at Hussong's Cantina and other top lev.el establishments. We sang songs, drank beer, ate tacos and slept in my van on the beach. What a great time we had! And all my expenses were covered, including gas, Mexican car insurance, beer and food for two nights and days were covered by the $20 bill Frank loaned me. Times were different then. 

This was just one of many such trips to Mexico with Frank who was always the idea man, financier and spark plug in the Captain Cooper's Troopers band of brothers.  Wherever we went and whatever we did, we seemed to be taken care of by a flock of guardian angels as we did dumb things but always escaped relatively unscathed. No major injuries, jail sentences or broken noses. 

Yes, I miss Frank, but his memory carries on in my heart.  Rest in Peace, Bear.