By Nicole Hamilton
The Cincinnati Enquirer
Frank David Bergstein and his wife of 55 years, Mary, traveled the world. Together, they visited places as far away as Asia and the Middle East.
But his favorite sites were right here in his hometown. For years, he found joy looking out at the Ohio River and the Cincinnati skyline.
Mr. Bergstein, a longtime resident of Wyoming, died Tuesday of pneumonia at Drake Center in Hartwell. He was 85.
"He loved his city the most. He was great supporter of the community," said his daughter, Martha Marcom of Columbus.
A longtime businessman and inventor, Mr. Bergstein was working on a way to harness the Ohio River to create water turbine power. At the time of his death, he was working on a patent that would make energy cleaner and cheaper.
Raised in Avondale, Mr. Bergstein graduated from Walnut Hills High School in 1935. He studied astronomy at Harvard for three years. Then, his father became ill, and he returned to Cincinnati to run the family's Middletown-based business, Interstate Folding Box Co.
He left the company in 1941 - after the attack on Pearl Harbor - to serve in World War II.
During the war, he was a first lieutenant in the 29th Infantry Division, leading men in the landing at Omaha Beach on D-Day. They endured 44 days of continuous combat.
Honorably discharged in 1946, Mr. Bergstein resumed his career at Interstate Folding Box.
For several years, he was president of the company. During his tenure, he also invented several innovative techniques in boxing - as well as the machinery to do the jobs. An important paper coating process he developed and patented was used for products like Tide detergent boxes.
Mr. Bergstein retired from Interstate Folding Box in 1978, the year the company was sold. But following his brother Robert's death in 1977, he had become managing partner in another family business: Bergstein Oil and Gas.
He worked at the oil and gas exploration company, based in Springdale, until a few months ago.
An avid supporter of the Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra, Mr. Bergstein was a subscriber for 60 years.
A son, Thomas, preceded him in death.
Surviving are his wife, Mary Margaret McHaffie Bergstein of Hyde Park; another daughter, Connie Dow of Wyoming; a son, David of Chino Valley, Ariz.; and eight grandchildren.
Services have been held. His cremated remains are in Spring Grove Cemetery.
Memorials: Drake Center, 151 W. Galbraith Road, Cincinnati, 45216.
E-mail nhamilton@enquirer.com
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