01/24/2024
Frank Albrecht was our oldest member at 92 years old. When Frank’s wife was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s she eventually had to be placed in a home. He loved her so much he could barely speak her name without tearing up. As he told stories about her he would stare in the distance as if he was reliving all of them in his mind. He was right back there in time.
I wrote about his goal to ride a bike again but I left out why he had lost so much of his leg mobility.
Frank was no stranger to hard work as farming was his life for many many years until he started work for LF school district. When Eleanor was placed in an assisted living facility, he went to be with her every day. When I say every day, he sat with her every single day for hours on end. For as long as he was allowed to be with her, he was there. The nurses told him that wasn’t healthy. It wasn’t good for his body to be sedentary for so long day after day after day. He didn’t care. He showed up and he sat with the love of his life watching her slowly slip away.
After she passed Frank told me he would drive down Marginal Rd most days on his way to his favorite restaurant, Denny’s, for his dinner. He said he kept driving by our gym and he knew he needed to do something about his legs. He set a goal, came in and signed up for a membership. He wasn’t just our oldest member, he was our most treasured.
Frank is now reunited with his love, Eleanor.
I like to think they’re together riding bikes ❤️❤️
Rest in eternal peace, Frank.
We are all so much better for having known you. Thank you for being Elite.
🌟 Member Spotlight 🌟
Frank is one of our most dedicated and cherished members.
At 88 years young he visits us twice a day, Monday thru Friday, to work on leg strength and mobility.
He tries to take the weekends off but often times he does make it in on a Saturday morning to visit us and get his miles in on the bike.
Frank shared with me that getting old is terrible and he doesn’t plan on ever doing it again.
We adore his light hearted sense of humor.
Being a farmer for many many years Frank is not a stranger to hard work so when I asked him what keeps him coming back to the gym each day he explained that he has a goal.
“When you have a goal or a job to do you don’t stop until you’ve reached it or the job is done.
You work until the work is done.”
Frank’s goal is to strengthen his legs enough to be able to ride a “real” bike again one day.
Frank has the entire staff at Elite rooting for him as we watch his commitment and dedication day after day.
Frank is determined, the hardest worker in the room and we think he’s a real treasure.
Frank is Elite.
To all of our members who don’t hesitate to jump up off of a bike when they see Frank walking in, we thank you. We are moved by this gesture each and every time we witness it.
