Frank Aylsworth Lydic, 82, of North Platte, died Nov. 9, 1991 in North Platte. He was born Jan. 22, 1909 in Frontier County to Robert Johnston and Lula Ethel Aylsworth Lydic.

He grew up in Frontier County and attended country school, graduating from Farnam High School in 1927. He graduated from Kearney State College in August 1931 with a bachelor of fine arts degree in education. He won the National Amateur Athletic Union Mile Championship in Lincoln before going to California in 1932. He tried out for the 1932 Olympics in California for the 1,500-meter race and was a finalist. Also, in 1936, he was a semi-finalist in the Olympics in the 5,000-meter race.

He moved to California to teach school at Palo Verde Estate and later many other schools for 19 years. He married Florence Faye Meadows July 2, 1934 in Santa Ana, Calif. From 1943-1948 he served with the U.S. Merchant Marines and after World War II taught nine more years. He then moved to Cleveland, Ohio, to work on the Great Lakes, Miss., and Illinois river boats. He retired in 1979.

He was the only person in the United States to gain the position "Union Poet Laureate" of the rivers. He was past president of the Illinois Poet Society, member of the National Maritime Union and delegate for the National Maritime Union Convention in 1966, 1969, 1972 and 1976. He lived a short time in Joliet, Ill., after his wife died. He moved to North Platte in 1984 and married Nellie Snyder Yost Aug. 30, 1984 in North Platte. He was a member of Friends of Buffalo Bill, Western Riders of America, Nebraska Writers Guild and Buffalo Bill Westerners Corral.

Survivors include his wife, Nellie of North Platte; a son, Robert Norman Lydic of Romulus, Mich.; a daughter, Florence Marcelle (Mrs. Mickey) Brdar of Westerville, Ohio; a brother, Robert Wray Lydic of Farnam; a sister, Sarah Hamm of Norfolk, Va.; six grandchildren and three great- grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by a daughter, Bernice Joy Courtney; and a sister, Anna Peterman.

Services will be 10:30 a.m. Tuesday at the Riverside Baptist Church with the Rev. David Nelson officiating. Burial will be in the Fort McPherson National Cemetery with military honors graveside.

A memorial has been established to the Riverside Baptist Church.

Odean Colonial Chapel at C and Sycamore is in charge of arrangements.

North Platte Telegraph, 10 Nov 1991