Francis R. "Frank" Kirchoff, 89, dedicated husband for nearly 60 years to Mary (Fossum) Kirchoff, passed away February 23, 2026, in Vero Beach, Florida. He was born on June 14, 1936, in Queens, New York, son of Francis Kirchoff and Irene Cecilia (Murphy) Kirchoff, brother to Robert "Bobby" Kirchoff and Mary Ann (Kirchoff) Yankanich.

Frank was hardworking, fiercely independent, and a loving husband, father, and grandfather. Growing up in Queens, Frank always had a job – setting pins in the bowling alley, bagging groceries at the local market, and delivering prescriptions for the pharmacy. As a young man, he served in the United States Air Force at F.E. Warren Air Force Base in Cheyenne, WY. He rarely spoke of his time or job in the Motor Pool, but often grinned that it allowed him to, "reliably secure a vehicle on the weekends".

Frank's work ethic was a defining characteristic. A welder by trade, he eventually founded his own mechanical services company – Pipe Installation Co. – contracting-large scale HVAC systems in places like the World Trade Center and Rikers Island in New York, and Picatinny Arsenal in New Jersey. His trade skills served him well when, in 1968, he and Mary bought a piece of property in Kinnelon, NJ, where they built a home to raise a family.

Frank learned to fly in 1972 – the same year he bought his first plane (to the chagrin of Mary) and decades later, like a modern-day Lindbergh, he flew that modified Mooney across the North Atlantic.

Flying was freedom for Frank – traveling on his terms. He took his family to dozens of states and crossed half as many borders to show his family places many people dream of – beaches in the Bahamas, pyramids in Mexico, the Great Salt Lake, the Alaskan Pipeline, Fisherman's Wharf, and the iconic Mount Rushmore are just a few. He delighted friends and family with once-in-a-lifetime flights along the NYC skyline and around the Statue of Liberty.

The Mooney wasn't his only toy. He was a boat captain – motoring more than once between New Jersey and Florida on the Intracoastal with his loyal pit bull China at his side. And he restored, from boxes and crates, a decommissioned Indian Air Force De Havilland Vampire jet, which he flew at a few airshows. An avid hunter, Frank pursued ducks in Jamaica Bay, took trips out West for big game, and hiked through the New Jersey woods for deer and bear.

He was Queens through and through and could talk to anyone about anything. Within about five minutes of meeting him, you'd know his very strong opinions. He was smart, resourceful, largely self-educated, and had tremendous recall on dozens of subjects, including the history of Genghis Khan, the ballistics of myriad firearms, and the geography of Iceland. If he didn't know something about a subject you brought up, he'd be prepared and well-versed the next time he saw you.

Rough on the outside, Frank was kind, generous, and had a surprising cream puff center.  He would happily tell you how to fix whatever was broken and lend you the tools you needed to get started. Frank was also your guy in a crisis – if your well pump failed, if you needed a mile-long dirt driveway cleared in a monstrous snowstorm, or a tree off your house, Frank was a phone call away and would get the problem fixed.

Frank is survived by his wife, Mary and siblings Robert and Mary Ann; his daughter, Lynn (Kirchoff) Marran, and her husband, Kenneth Marran, of Mendham, NJ; his daughter, Karin Kirchoff, and her husband, Travis L. Johnson, of Arlington, VA; his son, Francis J. Kirchoff, and his wife, Andrea (Donaghy) Kirchoff, of Redding, CT; and his cherished grandchildren, Sam, Julianna, and Cecelia Marran; Greta and Cameron Kirchoff-Johnson; and Francis W. and Pearl Kirchoff.

There was no one like Frank Kirchoff. His departure from this earth leaves a gaping hole in the hearts and lives of so many. Tough as nails. Strong to the very end. We love and miss you.

A Celebration of Life and luncheon will be held at the Lamp Post Inn, 1601 Route 565, Sussex, NJ, on Saturday, April 25, from 11:30 am to 3 pm.

Arrangements are under the direction of Cox-Gifford Seawinds Funeral Home.

An online guestbook is available at CoxGiffordSeawinds.com