Francis Xavier "Frank" Beytagh, age 80, of Dublin, passed away Sunday, February 21, 2016 at Friendship Village of Dublin. Frank was born on July 11, 1935 in Savannah, Georgia, the only child of Francis Xavier Sr. and Martha (Gatzka) Beytagh. Besides his parents, he was preceded in death by his loving wife of 52 years, Diane (Griffin) Beytagh in 2009. Frank graduated magna cum laude from the University of Notre Dame in 1956. After graduation, he was commissioned as an officer in the United States Navy and served onboard the U.S.S. Borie and U.S.S. Picuda. Frank served another 20 plus years in the Naval Reserves, eventually retiring with the rank of Captain. After leaving active duty, Frank graduated first in his class from the University of Michigan Law School in 1963. He was honored to serve as the Senior Law Clerk to Chief Justice Earl Warren and as the Assistant Solicitor General to Justice Thurgood Marshall. Frank spent the bulk of his career as an educator and scholar in the fields of U.S. and Irish Constitutional law. He taught at a number of institutions including the Universities of Virginia, Notre Dame, Michigan, Houston, and Southern Methodist University. Frank also served as the Dean of the Law Schools at the University of Toledo and the Ohio State University; and was President of Florida Coastal School of Law, including a Founders Chair. He was a member of the Hibernian Society of Savannah, GA. Frank was widely respected by his colleagues, and the many students he had the chance to influence. One of Frank's much quoted opinions, which was set forth in the Reynolds v. Sims decision in 1964 and released while Warren was chairing the Kennedy assassination. "Legislators represent people, not trees or acres. Legislators are elected by voters, not farms or
cities or economic interests. As long as ours is a
representative form of government, and our legislatures are
those instruments of government elected directly by and directly representative of the people, the right to elect legislators in a free and unimpaired fashion is a
bedrock of our political system. . . "
A devoted father and grandfather, he is survived by his loving children, Patrick (Ann) Beytagh of Dallas, Texas, Kathleen (Mike) Fetch of Upper Arlington, Ohio, and Maureen (Todd Forney) Beytagh of Powell, Ohio. He was the proud grandfather of 6 grandchildren, Grace (Phil) Bowen, Michael Ahlbeck, Luke and Emma Fetch, and Andrew and Mary Clare Beytagh and many friends and colleagues. In retirement, Frank was an avid golfer, and sports fan to his favorite teams: Notre Dame, OSU, and the St. Louis Cardinals. Frank and his family were fortunate to travel extensively during his career including trips to England, Ireland, and Italy. A Funeral Mass will take place at 11 am on Friday, February 26th, 2016 at St. Brigid of Kildare Church in Dublin, Ohio. He will be buried next to his beloved wife in Bonaventure Cemetery in Savannah, Georgia. Friends may call 5-7 pm Thursday, February 25, 2016 at SCHOEDINGER NORTHWEST CHAPEL 1740 Zollinger RD. Mass of Christian Burial will be held 11:00 am Friday, February 26, 2016 at St. Brigid of Kildare Church, 7179 Avery Road Dublin, OH with Monsignor Joseph Hendricks, Celebrant. Private Interment Bonaventure Cemetery in Savannah, Georgia. Contributions in Frank's memory may be made to the American Heart Association, 5455 N. High St., Columbus, OH 43214 or to The Lung Center at The Ohio State University for pulmonary hypertension research, c/o 2050 Kenny Road, Columbus, OH 43221. Please visit www.schoedinger.com to send condolences or share a favorite memory of Francis Xavier "Frank" Beytagh