Remembering Frank Brown, one of the Greatest Generation

My best job ever — except for newspapers, of course — provided me with one of my best bosses.

I wrote about my time at Banner-Trulove Institutional Foods in Greensboro in the May 2, 2023, edition of Randolph Hub. I told about how Ginny and I had been married for just three months when a friend hired me to work in the warehouse.

My friend, Ray, left at some point for another job, creating the need for the night foreman to take over the day job.

My new boss, Frank Brown, ranks up there as one of my best bosses ever. A friendly sort who enjoyed a good laugh, Frank was also serious about having an organized warehouse and protecting the products.

When I accidentally punched a hole in a 50-pound bag of sugar with my forklift, Frank didn’t criticize me. Instead, he figured out a way to prevent another accident in the future.

I had started at Banner-Trulove by working the bins, using a forklift to move new products in and keeping the working bins full for the night shift to pull orders to load delivery trucks. I was happy doing that with my proclivity for filing and sorting.

But after Frank became my foreman, he asked me if I wanted to receive freight. That meant unloading trucks at the back doors and placing them in the aisle for the bin workers to put up.

The freight receiver was also responsible for unloading rail cars that would be parked at a side door of the building. When a big order would come in by rail, Frank would get with me to decide where those pallets could be stacked.

A member of what Tom Brokaw called The Greatest Generation, Frank was a veteran of World War II. I remember him talking about his time in Italy and some of his experiences there. If he had been in fierce combat, he never mentioned it.

Frank always had a cigar in his mouth but I never saw him light it. He would place a long cigar in the corner of his mouth in the morning and by the afternoon it had become a short stub. Fortunately, he was discreet in discharging his tobacco spittle.

When the night foreman left, Frank was called on to assume the role of dispatcher. He would sit in the office and determine the routes for the delivery trucks so the night shift would load the trucks accordingly. I remember him asking a truck driver what was the best route to take the next day.

In his dual roles, Frank would consult with me about expected deliveries, particularly by rail. We would figure out how to make room for more products. 

With Frank’s expertise, I was able to receive freight and move it to its proper place, even when he was back on the night shift. He would come in early so he could consult with me.

Frank was married and had a son and daughter. Once he told me that his son had taken a girl to a dance but became involved with another lady. He said he told his son that he was responsible for the girl he had invited to the dance. Representative of his “greatest generation,” Frank was adamant about loyalties and doing what you say you’re going to do.

When I asked Frank for time off for personal reasons, he worked with me to make it happen. He showed me the respect that I had for him.

Frank always had a good word for everyone. He could laugh, tell stories and figure out ways to improve the job. When he found fault, he would let you know without making you feel like a failure.

I eventually left Banner-Trulove but never forgot Frank Brown. He left me with a role model that I hope I can say I’ve followed.

My memories of Frank have always been positive and enjoyable. I don’t remember him ever being negative or offensive.

Frank died a number of years ago but he still lives in my mind. I’ll always strive to follow his example and remember him with warmth.

Larry Penkava is a writer for Randolph Hub. Contact: 336-302-2189, larrypenkava@gmail.com.