The Marx Brothers
Frank M. Bland, 1963-2008

Frank Martin Bland, from Milton (Gummo), Oak Ridge, died on January 30, 2008.

Leave your tributes to Frank

• Eulogy delivered during Frank M. Bland's funeral service on Feb. 1, 2008:
  
  Where does one begin to remember Frank? He valued family. He was devoted to his mother, who died when he was in mid-20s. He greatly admired his father and his older brother Steve, and he felt very close to his sister-in-law Yvonne. He took great pride in the accomplishments of his nephew Geoffrey. And he stayed closely attached to Kathy his decade-long partner and still close friend and love.
  Frank was born in a hurry and left in a hurry. Frank Martin Bland. was born on February 21, 1963, in the back of a rescue squad van rushing down Route 23 South to Chilton Memorial Hospital.
  Frank had several great loves that were with him almost all his life.
  He lived and breathed music. He played the saxophone in every imaginable ensemble when he was in high school and was also an avid flute player. He later was a recording engineer who studied audio technology at Indiana University and ran sound for local bands. He was proud of the evening when his band was the opening act for the guitarist Adrian Belew and Belew heard what he was doing during the soundcheck for the opening act in a nightclub and asked him to run the board for him as well. Frank listened to music constantly. He had wide-ranging tastes and loved electronic music and the theramin, the goofy sounds of Raymond Scott and Carl Stallings, Brian Wilson and the Beach Boys, Jan and Dean, and especially Frank Zappa.
  Frank loved humor: the Firesign Theater, the radio broadcasts of Jean Shepherd, old radio shows like the Jack Benny Show and Vic and Sade, The Flintstones, Bugs Bunny and Looney Tunes, Green Acres and M*A*S*H, standup comedians like George Carlin, Bill Hicks, Mitch Hedberg, Jim Gaffigan and Dom Irrera, and most of all the Marx Brothers. Frank wrote and created the first large website dedicated to the Marx Brothers, WhyADuck.com, which was featured in magazines and in books. Through his mailing list, called The Ducklist, he nurtured an active and lively community of fans who traded trivia and quips and wordplay, and who reacted to news of his passing in less than a by building a tribute page in his honor, at http://www.marx-brothers.org/tributes.htm.
  Frank loved science fiction and fantasy and had a number of authors in his personal pantheon: Kurt Vonnegut, Terry Pratchett, Isidore Haiblum, Harlan Ellison and Spider Robinson (whose puns he especially enjoyed). He loved the surreal art of Rene Magritte.
  Frank loved cats. His first cat, Snooty, was his companion for 17 years. Her markings formed the shape of a heart on one of her front shoulders, much like Frank always wore his heart on his sleeve. His last cats are a brother and sister pair, Catfink and Little Cobra, who brought him great joy and amusement in their months together. He cared for them deeply. In his last hospitalization, he extracted the promise that a home be found for his cats if something happened to him.
  Frank also loved to cook. He enjoyed learning recipes from the Food Network and making great production numbers, which would leave the kitchen looking like something had exploded but always resulted in really good tasting food.
  He had a mystical and religious bent from an early age. In the last few years he spent hours on the phone discussing religion and the Masonic Order with a renegade Southern Baptist minister friend. And he also attended the Institute for Spiritual Development.
  He had a goofy and surreal sense of humor, a pleasing speaking and singing voice and the ability to give really good gifts. He loved dreaming up and tracking down presents for the special people in his life. Christmas was a major event for him.
  He was gentle and considerate and very concerned about what other people thought of him, yet he seemed not to perceive how widespread and positive the effect was he had on people. The response Thursday from a placement agency who got him his last job says a lot: "Always a gentleman...a kind, kind person who wouldn't hurt a fly...loyal, someone you could count on...ethereal...he wanted to be productive and a part of society despite all his challenges..."
  He made a difference in life all over the planet in his last job. The actions that he took every single day had a direct impact on goods being shipped all over the world and he became one of a small number of masters of a complicated and difficult computer program that processed the transactions. It was very important to him to keep working, and he kept doing it even when other people might have quit.
  Although his health had been deteriorating for the past couple of years, in recent months he regained a joy and appreciation for life. He reconnected with a number of people all across the country who had been important friends in the past. He began writing again and put up a blog. In his longest piece, which he considered the best thing he had ever written, he expressed his gratitude and appreciation for his father, his brother and a few close friends in his life. He spent his final hours finishing his collection of Marx Brothers' tattoos, enjoying his favorite pizza, a margherita pizza from Top of the Park in Boonton, talking to Kathy, and sending a post to the Marx Brothers list bragging about his new tattoo.
  This is the Frank that we will remember.
   
• I have returned numerous times to this site, to be reminded of the Marx Brothers humour and left it with a smile on my face not thinking of who had created these pages. Thank you Frank M Bland. Sorry about being so late in saying it.
  
  Carl
   
• I, too, am one of Frank’s old Birch buddies. We shared many a story, many an anecdote, many a cigarette (ah, the good old days!) and many a heart-to-heart talk about things in general. Frank was a true knowledge connoisseur, and I don’t think a day went by that I didn’t learn something new from him. Because he was so tall, he could actually hang over the glass barricade that surrounded my desk and have a discussion while hanging out there.
  I worked alongside Frank during his whole tenure at Birch Services – I think it was the longest in his career outside of his web work. He was deceptively shy, intriguing and fascinating. I don’t think there was ever a subject he didn’t know something about; if there was, he made sure to know about it the following day. He was ecumenical in his help and caring for those he worked with, and he was the same way outside of work. He set up and configured my whole computer system all for the price of a home-cooked steak dinner. Frank had a genuine warmth about him, and he was the best at keen and witty repartee. The amount of information he could recall at a moment’s notice was nothing short of amazing.
  Frank also owned my all-time favorite picture – Snooty being caught in a very compromising preening pose – that he kept on his desk. It made me laugh no matter how many times I saw it.
  Oh, Frank – you will be missed! Say hello to Chico for me.
  
  Irene
   
• I am an ex-cousin who knew "Frankie" as a little boy and then did not see him again for many years until a family wedding some years ago. I was struck by what a wonderful man he had turned out to be. We sat with his Dad and his Aunt and I am afraid he had me laughing most of the time, not always at the right time! His outlook on life was so unique in this day and age. I know that he and Aunt Doris are together having a great reunion. She was a great lady! I know that this is really hard for Stevie and Uncle Frank and also that Frankie and Aunt Doris will be there waiting.It sounds like he led a wonderful life with many loved ones around him, whether in person or through the net and his website. God Bless Frankie, we all lost a "good one" when you left us.
  
  Sandra
   
• Good luck Frank, you did the Marx Brothers proud! You will be missed
  
  Scott
   
• I knew Frank because I sent him monthly package of Vintage Paper on approval ... Marx for him and Robert Benchley for Kathy. I didn't know what he looked like, how old he was or anything else about him ... but sensed his kind and gentle spirit thru our email chats. Last month he gave me a list of new humorists to look for and his folder is sitting here in front of me now. I will copy his Obituary and put it inside for now. I was not a Marx Brothers Fan but was a Frank Bland Fan ... and I will miss him ....
  
  Sandra
   
• I cannot believe Frank is gone, as most of you can tell from my emails to the Marx list!! He was always there with an answer for me, which was a good thing because I needed them. He was there at the beginning of all this "technical" stuff, and I will always remember him as the one who put up my favorite website - Whyaduck.
  Say Hi to the guys up there for me, even Gummo!
  
  KC
   
• I am Frank's brother Steve. Like my wife, Yvonne, I post this to thank all of you for sharing your memories of the most creative guy I ever knew. His gentleness is legend, and as an older brother is prone to do, I challenged it at every opportunity through our childhood - never getting a rise out of him. (I still resent you for that!!!) While I will miss him dearly, and I know he misses you all (particularly the "Marxist" community), you should all take comfort, as I know he's happy.
  When we laid Frank to rest at the Hoboken Cemetary in North Bergen, NJ, his body was laid next to our late Mom, Doris, who passed away in 1986. Frank and our Mom had a very special relationship (more so than any parent/child team I've known - not counting us, Yvonne!). I take great comfort in knowing that they're back together. She will lead him through the next life, and he will make her laugh again. Frank, don't worry about Dad, I'll make sure he's taken care of until you and Mom can take over!
  I want to thank all of you who loved and supported Frank, particularly over the past few years, which were challenging. He spoke so fondly of you all. I particularly want to thank Kathy for the love and support you gave Frank, through some very difficult times. All of the cat lovers out there owe Kathy a huge debt of gratitude as she was responsible for rounding up Frank's very confused kittys, enduring personal injury in the process. You'll be happy to know that the cats are in a wonderful new home with my in laws Sac and Bev (and their cat Bebe), whom Frank loved dearly. Word is that they're adjusting wonderfully.
  I know this last bit of news will let Frank move, even more peacefully, through the next life.
  
  Love to you all,
  Steve Bland
   
• I knew Frank from his days at Birch, where he was an ace computer guru, the go to person for any kind of technical/computer issues. Professionally, Frank was super-competent and always a pleasure to deal with; personally, he was irreverent, funny and independent-minded. Frank was knowledgeable about a wide range of topics, and, in conversation was warm and engaging. So sorry to hear that world has lost this peaceful and kind person.
  
  AAP
   
• I dreamed I talked to Frank on the phone the other night. Too many days had passed. We laughed and joked about the etherial world of the mystic. I knew then, Frank, that you had gone on before me. These last years of talk and sharing- beating disease together while we dove into the world of human thought and ancient concepts of God. We wandered through the degrees of the ancient Templars and the Scottish Rite, the York Rites and the changes in the last 4,000 years of freemasonry. We explored Enoch and the Little Genesis and Christian phenomenum. We shared dreams, and prayers and God. We did not define but instead refined our own visions. You know God of Adam and Abraham. You know the Divine principle of Women and the balance of the male female bond within all who find peace. I love you, my brother. You are at peace. Rest in the temple of your dreams- you earned it.
  
  Bro Roland
   
• I only met Frank once and knew right way that this was a real "mentsch" - what they call in "Little Big Man" a "human being". I have such fond memories of meeting Frank and Kathy about 10 years ago for lunch at the (real) 2nd Avenue Deli while I was visiting New York from my home in Israel. I haven't had much time for my Marxist and Firesign Theatre passions since returning to NY three years ago but frequently thought that I should reconnect and get together again now that I live not far from where Frank once lived in Queens. Reading the tributes here it is clear that the world is in need of more "human beings" like Frank, not fewer.
  
  rebmatt
   
• As Frank's sister-in-law, I am writing a tribute to all of you! While my eyes are filled with tears, my heart is overflowing. Each word you have written is a gift -- to the man who never said "no" to helping a friend in need and to the family that mourns his passing. You have proven our theory -- his legacy is the gift of love he so willingly shared. Thank you for opening your hearts. Go in peace.
  
  YSB
   
• In memory of Frank, who I will always remember as Felix the Cat, who was always willing to help out a cat in need. Thank you for helping the little ones.
  
  Karen & Eli
   
• The first time I met Frank was when I was visiting my sister Kathy in NY. I greatly enjoyed that time spent with them in New York City. We went to see two Marx Brother movies, an event I will always remember. Everyone will miss Frank deeply.
  
  Kimberley F
   
• I'll never forget the first time I saw the beautifully-done cover artwork for the "Inexcusable" Lady and The Mant CD. Kathy had mentioned to me that Frank might be helping us with the artwork, but I had no clear expectations about what this was going to mean.
  I recall being at first simply stunned by the quality and obvious investment of time and painstaking effort that Frank had made in the work. Secondly, I was touched when I fully recognized that the only way Frank could have done such a beautiful and personal job with that particular art project was to do whatever it took to truly understand the friendship and history that I have with Kathy.
  I never really owned a personal understanding of the phrase "labor of love" until I saw what Frank had created so selflessly and thoroughly for Kathy and I. I strongly suspect that there are many others out there who had similarly touching encounters with Frank's creative generosity. I will remember and miss Frank.
  
  The Mant
   
• Frank, you were an wonderful man and I will miss you. Thank you for letting me be a part of your life. I hope you are at peace now.
  
  Jesse
   
• how sad this is, to have to write this.... the first time i had an email conversation with frank on the ducklist, he was telling me why all the turns in new jersey are from the right lane. soon after, he was banishing me to the fourth dimension because of my mention of the fifth dimension (don't ask). on the ducklist, we talked about benny hill, the illegitimate theatre, jfk, police whistles, w.c. fields, hunter s. thompson, and, occasionally, zeppo, harpo, chico, and groucho. the atmosphere was very much like a marx film, with frank as the host, the guy on the side polishing shot glasses, ready to throw the towel at us at any moment. (yes, we ducked a lot.)
  frank's posts on the panix list, and on his myspace blog (www.myspace.com/fmbland) were highly readable. it's hard to write like you talk, but he succeeded, having a voice that was both knowledgeable, and wryly funny. i personally will miss his emails. all the best. . .
  
  jamison
   
• Frank, I hardly knew ya, but I knew ya to be a great guy, and a dear family friend to the Russos. Personally, I'm an Abbott and Costello guy, but that's OK. Hope you're having some good yucks with all the Stooges...and A & C as well!
  
  Vinny S
   
• I met Frank through my sister Denise and things were never the same! Frank helped me get on the internet in 1995, and his knowledge of many things (The Marx Brothers, music and lots of other topics) made him a fascinating person to speak with. Like all of us, he had personal issues to deal with, but he placed his interactions with other people above himself. It was an honor to know such a brilliant and talented person. We'll all miss you, Frank.
  
  Greg
   
• Frank, my Birch partner in crime, what will I do without hearing your melodic voice, marveling over one of your witty quips, sharing our love of the felines in our lives or just giggling together over one of our unique quirks. You made my life and my family's life richer with your very presence. Words cannot express how much we will all miss you. There will always be a seat at the table for the one and only, Frank Bland.
  
  Denise
   
• How terribly sad to hear of the passing of Frank Bland. He took the Marx Brothers to his heart and to the internet and the world of Marx Brothers fan is a much richer place because of him.
  
  Greg R
   
• Two nights ago, I read about Frank. Until the Whyaduck site, I thought I was the only Marx fan out there my age, and I've been a rabid fan since I was nine. Frank was actually a year younger than I am. Without knowing it, he made me realize for the first time that there was a whole world of us out there, and he brought us all together. I've come to associate his name with the Marxes, and so it shall always be!
  I looked up, stunned, from my computer, and I saw the concerned face of my own nine year old son. An idea struck me. I pulled out my (first edition) copy of "Why a Duck?" and sat down to read it aloud with my son, and introduced him to the Marx Brothers for the first time. I knew from his instant laughter and delight that we've hooked another one. And now I know it will go on. Though my son will benefit, two nights ago, I read it as a tribute to Frank.
  
  Pam R
   
• He was a pillar of the Marx Bros community!
  
  Richard B, Sweden
   
• Franko's whyaduck Web site packed a roundhouse of information on the Marx Brothers, a site I first visited some six or seven years ago via a tip from a fellow MB fanatic who excitedly told me she had found a motherlode of MB film audio clips. Sadly, I've since lost contact with that friend, but I'm happy to say the whyaduck site led to the cyberspace acquaintance with many others of the MB ilk via the panix and (RIP) duck lists. On the ducklist, which I think Franko once said had as many 300+ members at its peak, Franko not only was a wealth of MB information and an MB authority, but I clearly recall how he adroitly played THE voice of reason when some of the posts became heated and vitriolic. He mentioned to me once (via email; we'd never met in person) that playing the role of ducklist peacemaker was one of the least favorite duties that came with running the list, but he quickly added that the joy of rubbing words with other MB fans more than made up for it. As someone earlier mentioned, it was always exciting to see his email address among new list posts waiting to be opened in the mailbox, because he always had something of substance to contribute. It's a little dispiriting to think we won't be able to enjoy those anymore. It's clear from all of the tributes how profound of an impact he has made on each of us in our common pursuit of all things Marxist. Tonight, I'll join the others here who will be watching "Animal Crackers" to toast a guy ... and an idea ... that turned out splendidly well. Afterward, I fully expect to be able to say, "I had a perfectly wonderful evening, and this WAS it."
  
  Joe's the name
   
• frank...although we spoke more about music than the marx brothers....you made an impact on me!!!its nice to know there are other people in the world as obsessed with what i call "useless information"...glad to have spent last thursday night with you and have talked about all we did...thanks for your kind words of encouragement on my talents...and may your spirit shine on....thanks for being you....
  
  your friend JAE
   
• I didn't know Frank well, but was just starting to understand his compassion and his kindness. Frank, whoever's manning those gates, stand up tall, look them straight in the eye, and say, "Swordfish."
  
  Jeff C
   
• When I first got online, it happened to be at a low time in my life. I sought out those who shared my love for the Marxes, the first and perhaps only group I'd been mad about. Frank's Whyaduck site fit the bill perfectly. Fractious, opinionated, unruly, sarcastic, caustic, maddening, wondrous, enlightening--that was both Franko and whyaduck. Through good times and bad (particularly 9/11, a time when we all needed each other and a good laugh), Frank kept things rolling. Sure, the whyaduck days passed and with it some of the camaraderie, but like the Marxes on film, we'll always the memories. Franko, you'll be missed but never forgotten. Honk!
  
  Ray L
   
• Franko, you were far too young. Too young to leave us, too young to remember the Marx Bros revolution on college campuses in the 1960s, and too young to have had your own college widow. That being said, your contribution to the world of Marx Brothers fans is incalculable. I hope that your are hanging around the Deputy Seraphs shooting an elephant in your pajamas. Give my regards to Hungerdunger, Hungerdunger, Hungerdunger, Hungerdunger, and McCormick.
  
  Stano
   
• I am so sorry to learn of our loss.
  I "met" Frank Bland when I first had a home computer.
  I typed-in my first search "word" at the time: Marx Brothers, and discovered his Why A Duck? site. I mentioned to Frank at the time that I had had a Marx Brothers fan club (The Marx Brotherhood) at the University of Minnesota years before, and offered some of the scholarship, which he put up on his wonderful Marx site. (Mark Petty and Greg Roth were among the people who helped research this data, which was a list of Marx television appearances.)
  Later, I participated in a New York City gathering with Frank and Kathy and a number of other then-Marx listers. It was great fun. Frank and Kathy always made room to me -- this middle-aged "bumpkin" from Minnesota.
  Years later, I imposed myself further by asking Frank and Kathy if I could "hang out" at their apartment in Queens (at the end of the subway line out of Manhattan, I soon learned) in order to do another New York visit, this time on the cheap. Predictably, they were mutually gracious and said "yes," even picking me up at JFK.
  Being Minnesotan, Lutheran, and -- like Garrison Keillor -- a "shy person," I made an effort to - not avoid Kathy and Frank - but to avoid being a pest.
  I crept out of their apartment at dawn and returned only on the last train back from Manhattan.
  Frank finally cornered me during the last evening back, which was a Saturday night. I think the subway schedule compelled me to return a little earlier than usual.
  "Jay," Frank intoned, late at night, on a rocking chair, in dim light. "You are the most inauspicious house guest Kath and I have ever had."
  Frank and I then did what we should have done in the first place. We had a very pleasant, honest, and long, conversation.
  More recently, Frank had had me on the phone quite frequently. His last words to me were words of both friendship and encouragement.
  I respect this man. May he rest in peace. "God bless," my man Frank.
  
  Jay Hopkins
  Saint Paul, Minnesota
   
• I have been a Marx Brothers Fan since before my teen years. When the internet brought all manner of information right to one's virtual doorstep I naturally looked for info on my favorite comedy team. Along the way I found the mailing list. Being on the west coast I could make the gatherings in NYC but on one of my trips to visit family in Brooklyn I announced to the list I would be in NYC. Like the sensible people the listers are, they immediately went and hid except for Franko. Frank and I met at the Algonquin Hotel and since neither of us had a tie we ate elsewhere. Frank was the first lister I got to meet. I respect Frank for his great knowledge of the Brothers and at times was a bit envious of his meeting some of the Marx family. Frank was a great guy and was the anchor to sanity for the list when things headed out of control. In closing I would like to say "Frank, you are mensch and you will truly be missed. Rest in Peace"
  
  Dave
   
• I, too, like many other Marx fans, found Frank's wonderful site back when the internet was new to me. Never knew Frank personally, but always enjoyed his posts and appreciated all the info he made available on our beloved Marxes. I can bet who was serenading him on the harp when he entered the pearly gates. Rest well, friend.
  
  Grace
   
• When the internet came into my life, it was natural that I would seek out like-minded Marxists. Frank's Why A Duck? site offered a home that welcomed fans of all types, from the merely curious to the real fanatics. The Ducklist offered a chance to share memories, have questions answered or simply to enjoy the sheer pleasure that The Marx Brothers gave to so many. In his own way Frank himself was a great entertainer. He was the catalyst for so many fans, from all over the world. He will be sadly missed by all of us.
  
  tomvox
   
• In 2004 I turned to be a Marxist. I always thought that my love for the brothers could never be so deep without the wonderful sites on the internet, because there were a lot of great sites, but the greatest was whyaduck.com. There were months when I checked it every day, and it was not refreshed since about a year, but I always enjoyed it. Thank You very much for your work, time and energy. Reading your departure made me very sad. You will be missed here. I'm sure the brothers are grateful for what you've done. Now they can express their gratitude, up there.
  
  Thomas R
   
• When I first got on the internet in about 1989, I started hunting around for other Marxists. Franko was the go-to-guy whenever I had a question or was looking for something strange and unusual about the Marx Brothers. I enjoyed his spiky humor and vast knowledge. I'm thinking Minnie's Boys were waiting with St. Peter to give him a big welcome.
  
  thatgirlbill
   
• Without Frank, none of us would have known each other or had half as much fun. I became friends with him on the famous Ducklist. When that folded and Frank disappeared from view due to his health problems, I thought I had lost a good friend. When he reappeared recently on the marx-brothers@panix.com list I quickly got in touch with him and was delighted and honoured when we resumed the friendship. I wish I'd had longer to enjoy his company, his warmth, his wit and his remarkable breadth of knowledge. Hail and farewell, Frank. The world is a lesser place without you in it
  
  Roger S
   
• For the longest time, I thought I was one of the only Marx Brothers fans out there. With the advent of the Internet, I discovered Frank's Why A Duck? website. And through that website, I joined the Marx Brothers mailing list many years ago. Though not an active participant in the discussions, I always looked forward to seen that fmbland in an e-mail. Frank was a wealth of information about one of my favorite topics. Through him and his website, I discovered I was not along in my passion. Frank - say hello to the brothers when you reach your destination. You will be sorely missed.
  
  Lou T
   
• Goodbye Frank. Thanks for the Ducklist, thanks for whyaduck.com. You were THE Marx Brothers web guy back when I first went online. RIP.
  
  Richard S
   

The Marx Brothers - Los Hermanos Marx - Die Brüder Marx - マルクス兄弟 - Les Freres Marx - Братья Маркс - Bröderna Marx - I Fratelli Marx - Братята Маркс - Bracia Marx - Germans Marx - האחים מרקס