Frank Staudenmeier, 69, a man who was well-respected as a businessman and Schuylkill County Commissioner, passed away Saturday while vacationing in Florida.

“He was devoted to his family — so proud of his children and grandchildren — and also devoted to serving his county,” said Commissioners’ Chairman George Halcovage. “He set an example with his class and desire to help others.”

“This is a tremendous loss for the county,” he added. “He has built an amazing legacy, and it will continue.”

Staudenmeier was a county commissioner since 2002. A lifelong resident of Ashland, he was married to his high school sweetheart, the former Kathleen Ritro, Girardville. They have two children, Stacey and Scott, and four grandchildren.

After graduating from the former Immaculate Heart High School, Staudenmeier graduated from Lehigh County Community College, Bloomsburg University and Penn State University. He worked as area manager and community development director for Pennsylvania Power & Light for 24 years. He was named Schuylkill County Businessman of the Year in 1992.

He served on numerous boards: Schuylkill Economic Development Corporation, where he was chairman; Schuylkill United Way, where he was past president; Schuylkill Area Community Foundation; Ashland Community Enterprises; and Schuylkill Community Action. He was named Schuylkill County Businessman of the Year in 1992.

He served as President and Board Member for both the Manufacturers Association of Mid-Eastern PA and the Schuylkill Chamber of Commerce. Staudenmeier formerly served on the Board of Directors of the Shamokin Chamber of Commerce, the Economic Development Council of Northeastern PA; Shamokin Downtown Revitalization Corporation; Shamokin Area Industrial Corporation; Schuylkill County Council of the Arts and the Lower Anthracite United Way.

He coached youth sports and also served as president and manager of Ashland Teener League and Ashland Area Girls Softball Association and secretary and manager of Ashland Little League. He was also a member of the Ashland Kiwanis Club and Ashland Elks Club.

He was recently inducted into the County Commissioner Association of Pennsylvania “Academy for Excellence.” He served as chairman of the Board of Directors for the Pennsylvania Counties Risk Pool Organization. He was chairman of the County Commissioner’s Association of Pennsylvania Investment Committee and was also appointed to the Executive Committee of the Pennsylvania Counties Health Insurance Cooperative.