Frank Vibrans

long time Bainbridge Island resident, died Tuesday, November 25, 2014, at Harrison Hospital after suffering a hemorrhagic stroke.Born in Cincinnati, Ohio, to Frank C. and Nelda (Harvey) Vibrans, Frank Jr. grew up in Chicago, Illinois, where he graduated from Hyde Park High School in 1941. He studied Naval Architecture and Marine Engineering at the University of Michigan in the wartime V12 program and upon graduation in 1944 was commissioned an Ensign in the U.S. Navy. He served as an assistant docking officer aboard the floating dry dock ABSD1 in the Pacific.After the war, Frank Jr. married his college sweetheart Martha Ann Good of Ann Arbor, Michigan, on July 27, 1946. They moved about the country in the post World War II economy and started to raise a family. While employed by Fairbanks, Morse & Co., Frank Jr. traveled to Seattle on business and decided the Pacific Northwest was the place where he wanted to stay forever. He moved to Bainbridge Island with his young family in 1957 when he took a job at Philip F. Spaulding & Associates, Naval Architects.Frank Jr. was chief engineer at Philip F. Spaulding & Associates, then chief engineer at W.C. Nickum & Sons Co. He left Bainbridge Island to teach for a year as Visiting Professor of Marine Engineering at the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor before returning to become Senior Marine Engineer at Nickum & Spaulding Associates, Inc. His final position in industry was Chief Naval Architect for Washington State Ferries. After formal retirement, Frank Jr. continued to create the Washington State professional engineer's examination for Naval Architects and Marine Engineers and manage exam grading. This lasted until the advent of a national examination under the auspices of the Society of Naval Architects and Marine Engineers.Frank Jr. was appointed in 1959 to finish an unexpired term on the Winslow City Council and served as a councilman almost continuously until resigning to take his teaching post in 1971. When not re-elected, he was appointed to fill unexpired terms. He was elected mayor of Winslow in 1974 and served through 1978. His crowning achievement in city government was securing ownership of the Waterfront Park for the citizens of Winslow. After incorporation of the City of Bainbridge Island, Frank was one of the founding members of the Harbor Commission.Frank Jr. enjoyed sailing and building things. He converted the schooner yacht NAME from a Bristol Bay fishing boat so everyone in the family could keep busy while they shared his passion. Frank Jr. was preceded in death by his wife Marty. He is survived by two sons, Frank Vibrans III (Chris) of Longmont, Colorado, and Paul Vibrans (Mary-Lou) of Bainbridge Island, two daughters, Barbara Langthorn (Jake) of Arcadia, Oklahoma, and Nancy Adams (John) of Poulsbo, five grandchildren, and eight great-grandchildren.Services are Rollingbay Presbyterian Church are pending. Arrangements entrusted to Cook Family Funeral Home.