UNION GROVE – Frank Lamping counted each day as a blessing long before he knew his time on earth was numbered. “It didn’t matter how bad of a day he had, he always made it a priority to encourage people,” said Don Schauf, a Union Grove native and member of the Go Frank Go Foundation Board of Directors.
“He’s dying of cancer, and he’d ask you how you were doing before you could even ask about him. That was Frank.”
Despite his passing nearly five years ago, Lamping’s legacy is alive and well.
Go Frank Go Day – a daylong celebration of leadership and community involvement that honors the life and work of Lamping – is Thursday, Feb. 13 at Union Grove High School, 3433 South Colony Ave.
The third annual event is presented by the Go Frank Go Foundation, Community State Bank and Union Grove High School. It includes morning and afternoon sessions for area students and a 6p.m. event for the community.
Online registration is available at www.donate2gofrankgo.org.
Nationally acclaimed motivational speaker John Israel is this year’s featured guest. Affectionately known as Mr. Thank You, Israel demonstrates the power of gratitude and how a social experiment evolved into a worldwide movement.
It’s the third straight year the Go Frank Go Foundation welcomes a motivational speaker. Special guests Amberley Snyder and John O’Leary shared how they overcame incredible obstacles in 2023 and 2024.
“Our first two speakers had life-altering, horrible things that happened to them,” said Ellen Peterson, a member of the Go Frank Go Board of Directors. “(Israel) is just like us but has a powerful message to share.”
It’s a tribute to a man who spent his life inspiring others.
“I think it’s so important to continue to keep the focus and always bring it back to Frank,” said David Moyer, Community State Bank VP/Market President. “That’s what the foundation is all about.”
Lamping was a member of the Union Grove Lions Club for 30 years and was actively involved in many local organizations. It was his impact on the younger generation that stood out the most, according to Schauf.
“Frank went out of his way to help kids see their value,” Schauf said. “He had an incredible ability to relate and at the same time encourage.”
In 2022, Union Grove honored Lamping by installing his name underneath the village’s four welcome signs into the community.
Lamping was involved in Leadership Union Grove, Relay for Life, Union Grove/Yorkville Land Use Planning Committee, Union Grove Recreation, Yorkville Liaison, Union Grove History Seekers, Blacksmith of Oak Clearing Museum, Milwaukee and Burlington Genealogy, Henningfeld Family Reunion Chairman, Union Grove Class of 1974 Reunion Committee, Union Grove Men’s Volleyball League and Union Grove Recreation Youth Baseball League.
Lamping was not only a community champion, but a diehard Green Bay Packers fan. In 2017, he became the 19th person inducted into the Green Bay Packers Fan Hall of Fame.
Given six months to live, Lamping battled cancer for seven years. He’d skip medical visits to attend Packers games at Lambeau Field.
He fought and he fought, and he fought,” said Cary Madrigal, a lifelong friend of Lamping. “Anything that’s worth having is worth fighting for. For Frank, that was life.”
