A former Ross County Commissioner, better known as the patriarch of a local fruit farm, died February 3rd. Frank Hirsch was 83.
According to his obituary from Haller Funeral Home, “while his death was somewhat unexpected, he had courageously battled several setbacks over the past several months.”
In February of 2019, Hirsch had a scare where a 4-H calf knocked him over. It was several hours before his family found him injured, and he spent some time in the hospital.
“Frank attained his BS in Horticulture from the Ohio State University in 1962… Returning home, he became a third-generation owner and operator of Hirsch Fruit Farm where he lived and worked his entire life.”
Founded by John P. Hirsch in 1890, Hirsch Fruit Farm is a familiar sight on State Route 772 south of Chillicothe – and now on Seney Road and at the Chillicothe Farmers Market.
According to their website, “in the mid 1960’s, John’s grandsons, Frank Hirsch and Dick Ginther returned to the farm. They moved the farm in a direction that was more specialized in fruit – phasing out the dairy, hogs, chickens and grain. They opted instead to add strawberries, raspberries, blackberries & other fruit varieties.
Hirsch Fruit Farm has a website and Facebook page.
Frank Hirsch was elected a Ross County Commissioner in 1988 “and served his community for 24 years as a bipartisan collaborator and communicator.”
Hirsch’s Mass was Saturday in St. Mary Catholic Church, and he was buried in in St. Margaret Cemetery.
Find the article on the Scioto Post.
Kevin Coleman covers local government and culture for the Scioto Post and iHeart Media Southern Ohio. For stories or questions, contact Kevin Coleman or the iHeart Southern Ohio Newsroom.
1 of 2 From the Hirsch Fruit Farm Facebook page.
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