Frank Rickman:
CLASS OF 1971
John Yeates High SchoolClass of 1971
Suffolk, VA
Driver Elementary SchoolClass of 1965
Suffolk, VA
Frank's Story
Life
Started working at Union-Camp (now International Paper)in Franklin in March after graduation. I am an electrician there.I married Brenda Byrum, my HS Sweetheart(even though she went to Forest Glen) in July of 1972. She is The Commissioner of Revenue for the City of Franklin. We have two sons. Rob (30) is a carpenter. He graduated from Coker College in South Carolina where he was co-captain of the basketball team. He is getting married in June. Billy (25) will have an associate degree in electricity from Paul D. Camp Community College in May. He works in Sheet Finishing here at the mill. They both live in Franklin and we are a close-nit family. We feel very blessed to have been born in the good old USA and to grow up in Nansemond County. But we love Franklin and think it is the best place in the world to live and raise a family. Life has been so good. We are Christians and go to The Rock Church of Franklin. Most of our activities revolve around that. Brenda and I lead a Home Cell Group. In 2000 I went on a church trip to Bolivia. I also volunteer my time to try to improve the community. This year I am the President of The Board of Directors of The Franklin-Southampton Area United Way. And I run that Campaign at the mill. I also serve on the board of Children's Resources. And I am a Make-a-Wish volunteer. Needless to say, I stay pretty busy. In our spare time we enjoy movies or just going to the mall. My passion is UNC football and basketball (presently #2 in the country) I have season tickets for football and usually go to a couple of basketball games a season. This year (2004)Brenda and I went to the Maui Invitational Tournament. The Tar Heels won that and we met Dean Smith, Roy Williams, etc. The team stayed at the same hotel as us. That was Awesome, Baby !! (sorry Dickie V.) Anyway, I loved John Yeates. I have wonderful memories. And I feel we have lived the American Dream.
2/2010- Wow,That should be updated. We now have two granddaughters. And as far as basketball is concerned, Rob and I went to the Final Four i...Expand for more
n San Antonio two years ago. Carolina has won another National Championship. And the mill is shutting down. So I am retiring.
2012- I've been the Manager of the Habitat For Humanity ReStore in Franklin for two years now. It is a great opportunity to help people. And I only work about 20 to 25 hours per week. My hobby is still going to football and basketball games at Carolina. And the last two years I have gone to a baseball game there. Not much to add except Brenda is possibly looking at retirement sometime in the not too distant future. Life is great, especially with the two sons and two granddaughters close by.
Workplace
I started at Union Camp in March 1972 in Data Processing. Around May of 1973 I transferred to Sheet Finishing, which was shift work. It was also going from salaried to hourly. I went to the Paper Mill in 1974 and made permanent on #6PM in 1975. After three years there I transferred to #2PM to get on all days. In 1981 I went to Maintenance as a Pipefitter Helper. In August of 1982 I finally got in The Electric Shop. I have been the electrician in The Chemical Additives Area of The Paper Mill since 1991. I also have been a Co-Chair for The United Way Campaign since 1998. I've been a member of all three local unions and served as Secretary and Vice-President of Local 176. It goes without saying that Union Camp was a good Company to work for. But International Paper is the big boy in the Paper Industry.
And now (2010) the mill is shutting down. So I am retiring. I guess 38 years is enough. Life is still good. And God is great.
October 2013- Brenda is up for re-election in November.( with no opposition) Rob has his own business as an interior painter. His wife teaches at Southampton High School. Billy is working for ST Tissue who is running a tissue machine at the paper mill. I'm still the manager at the Southampton/Franklin Habitat for Humanity ReStore in Franklin. There are two other employees but we have many great volunteers. Our grand daughters are now 7 and 4. God is great and life is good.
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