Frank S Merritt

Frank Samuel Merritt was born in Cleveland, Ohio to Stanley A. and Helen K. Merritt and raised in Burton, Ohio. He graduated from Burton High School in 1961 and from Hiram College with a BA in History in 1965. Frank earned his Juris Doctorate 1968, graduating cum laude, and was admitted to the Ohio Bar Association that same year. Later in 1968, he moved to Toledo to accept a position as law clerk to the Honorable Don J. Young, United states District Court and remained with him until 1970 when he took a position with Advocates for Basic Legal Equality. In this position he served as lead counsel in the suit to reform the Lucas County Jail. He was also counsel for the residents of Spencer Sharples Township in opposing the proposed new community development of that area. In 1973, he moved to Chicago to run Prisoners’ Assistance, which eventually became part of Legal Assistance Foundation of Chicago. While still working at Prisoners’ Assistance he began teaching in the Criminal Justice Program at the University of Illinois, Chicago.

In 1977, Frank was invited to join the Faculty of the University of Toledo College of Law as an associate professor. He was later promoted to full professor. He primarily taught criminal law and procedure and white-collar crime. He served on the American Bar Association committee which formulated the ABA’s guidance for attorneys dealing with AIDS clients. Following this he was asked to Chair the Legal Institute of the Great Lakes, doing programs on the Great Lakes Environment.

In1987, Frank became a den leader for Pack 100 in what is now Erie Shores Council BSA. He continued as a troop leader for Troop 14 where he served as Troop Committee Chair until 2020. He also served on the Executive Board for Erie Shores Council. Beginning in 1996, Frank volunteered as the Ecology Director and then supervisor for the program at Pioneer Scout Reservation. Developing a large and strong program.

He is survived by son, Ethan of Toledo; daughter, Catherine (Casey) of Lawrence, Kansas; and grandson, Dean D. Edington III. In lieu of flowers, memorials should be given to the PSR Ecology operating fund at the Greater Toledo Community Foundation or to your local public library. A memorial service will be held at a later date