Carl J. "Bud" Frank, of Riverside, died Dec. 30, 2012.

Mr. Frank was an attorney who was actively engaged in the practice of law for more than 40 years. Admitted to practice in Illinois by the Illinois Supreme Court and the three federal district courts in Illinois, he was also a member of the bar of the Court of Appeals for the Armed Services.

He was a retired (December 2008) captain in the Judge Advocate General's Corps of the U.S. Navy. He was an honors graduate of the University of Notre Dame and the Notre Dame Law School.

Following graduation from law school, Capt. Frank reported for active duty and served surface warfare tours as damage control assistant and engineering officer on the USS Power and USS Charles F. Adams.

In 1982, he accepted a direct commission in the Judge Advocate General's Corps of the U.S. Naval Reserve. He served as defense counsel/administrative officer, VTU LAW 1314; law of armed conflict attorney, status of forces agreement attorney and international agreements attorney, Commander In Chief, U.S. Naval Forces, Europe; defense counsel and trial counsel/training officer, NR LSO Great Lakes; executive officer, VTU LAW 1314; staff judge advocate, Personnel Mobilization Team; commanding officer, VTU LAW (awarded the RADM Gerald E. Gilbert Cup as the most outstanding Naval Reserve Law Program Unit in 1997); deputy judge advocate, Naval Reserve Readiness Command, Midwest; commanding officer, NR LSO North Central 113; and, staff judge advocate, NR Naval Network and Space Operations Command.

He recently served on the Military Affairs Committee of the Illinois Bar Association. Capt. Frank's decorations and awards include the Meritorious Service medal, the Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal (four awards) and various service and commendation awards, including the Vietnam Service Medal and the Republic of Vietnam Medal.

In his civilian life, Mr. Frank was an assistant corporation counsel of the city of Chicago from 1972 to 1973, at which time he prosecuted more than 100 criminal housing management and code enforcement cases.

In 1973, he joined the law department of the Burlington Northern Railroad. In 1977, Mr. Frank left Burlington Northern to become the first general counsel of the Regional Transportation Authority of Northeastern Illinois (RTA). In 1987, he joined Waste Management of North America, Inc., as its associate general counsel and was later named region vice president and general counsel, directing and managing all legal affairs and litigation in 14 states and three Canadian provinces.

In 1997, Mr. Frank left Waste Management and established the law firm that became Frank & Pirok, Ltd. and was also of counsel to the law firm of Amari & Locallo.

Mr. Frank was also active in Riverside, where, most recently, he was a member of the Riverside Community Caucus. As his children were growing up, he coached Little League and actively participated in Indian Guides and Princesses. He performed pro bono legal work for many.

He was the husband of Ruth Frank (nee Ciastko); the father of John C. Frank, Kelly (Jason) Rajkowski and Julee (Kevin) Kopka; the grandfather of Jaimee, Grace, Audrey and Isabella; and a cousin and uncle to many.

A funeral Mass was celebrated Jan. 4 at St. Mary Church in Riverside, followed by entombment at Resurrection Mausoleum.

Memorial donations are appreciated to a veterans organization of choice.