He attended Lincoln schools and graduated from the University of Nebraska with a Bachelor of Arts and Science degree. He was a member of Sigma Chi and Theta Nu Epsilon. He earned his Juris Doctor degree from Nebraska’s law school and was a member of Phi Delta Phi. During his college years, Frank worked at the American Legion Club and State Insurance Department and the Lancaster County Attorney’s Office. Upon graduation, Frank entered the practice of law and later became President of Four Stars, Inc. and the Lincoln Building Corp. In 1988 he was elected to the Nebraska Public Service Commission. He was re-elected in 1994, 2000 and 2006. During that period, he served as Chairman of the Commission many times. In 1992, Governor Ben Nelson appointed him to the Railway Council. He was subsequently reappointed by Governors Johanns and Heineman. From 1985 to 2004, Frank served as Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Jennings State Bank. Since 2004, he served on the board of Frontier Bank. For over 30 years, he was a member of the Harris Laboratories/MDS Pharma Institutional Review Board and served as Chairman several of those years. Frank served 34 years in the Nebraska Air National Guard and became Chief of Staff of the 155th Air Refueling Wing. He retired as a Colonel in 1998. For more than 50 years, Frank was an active member of First Plymouth Congregational Church. He served on the Board of Deacons several times. He also served on the Board of Music and Fine Arts. He was a volunteer for the Lincoln Track Club and Habitat for Humanity.
No resume can capture Frank’s sense of humor or his enjoyment in playing cards or golf with his friends and family. He had a large pool of loyal friends from many walks of life. He was curious about others and had a steel trap memory for their stories. His passion for family genealogy filled many hours and several filing cabinets. He loved driving to family history sites with his younger brother, the late Dr. Bill Landis. One of Frank’s last acts was creating a scholarship fund for Southeast Community College Students in memory of his parents.
In lieu of flowers, contributions can be made to the Frank and Ruth Mary Landis Memorial Fund, administered by the SE Community Foundation 285 S. 68th St. Place, Lincoln, NE 68510
Survivors include his wife, Polly, sister and brother-in-law Helen “Jinx” and Tom Dawson of Lincoln, sister-in-law Margaret Landis (William) of Grand Island; brother and sister-in-law David and Melodee Landis of Lincoln; sister Yukiko Yukawa, Tokyo; sister-in-law Patty O’Neal of Sun City, Arizona; brother-in-law Mike O’Neal of Maryville, Missouri and 10 nephews and nieces.
A memorial service will be held on Tuesday, March 22nd, 2022, 10AM, at First Plymouth Congregational Church 2000 D St, Lincoln, NE 68502.