Frank Abissi

Grand Rapids, MI

Birthday: July 20

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Frank Abissi commented on John and Janet Ruiz's blog post Woodstock, Aug. 15-18th, 1969...Were you there?

"Oops. I already posted in this thread, sorry?"

Frank Abissi commented on John and Janet Ruiz's blog post Woodstock, Aug. 15-18th, 1969...Were you there?

"I was there, 12 years old. I told my parents I was going camping with some friends in Kent Connecticut and instead we went to Woodstock. I drank my first quart of beer there, tossed my cookies for what seemed like an eternity. Saw my first naked…"

Frank Abissi commented on John Richeson's blog post The Sky is Falling! Or "Mal-Pak" Remnants for Sale?

"Very well said Ric Cox."

Frank Abissi commented on John Richeson's blog post The Sky is Falling! Or "Mal-Pak" Remnants for Sale?

"I remember it seemed like every week we got a new and improved MAL oak list. I had everything on the list once and was so proud of myself then we got another list that had some weird stuff on it that I had never heard of. I remember also the grief…"

Frank Abissi commented on W. Scott Higdon's blog post To All

"Lena and I are sad to hear this, I am really glad we have the return to look forward to when we will all be back together. I would run into him from time to time here in GR and it was always like a breath of fresh air to see him. Would you keep me…"

Frank Abissi left a comment for david r. bedard

"Hi Dave:
God's great love and blessings to you. Lena and I live under the bridge in Grand Rapids. We have been here since 1985 and will probably be here for quite a few more. God is doing great things for us here If you ever come out to visit the…"

Frank Abissi replied to John Richeson's discussion In Memory of Kas Mancini Anderson

"I cried the day I heard she fell asleep. I am so thankful for the return of Christ, I just wish I didn't have to wait so darn long for it to occur. Kas and I were WOWs together in 1981/82. We changed the world by shouting out God's Word. She was one…"

Frank Abissi left a comment for Jeff Stanley

"Hey Jeff, I just looked at your pictures were we all that young once? WOW!!! I can't wait till we are all tougher again when the Lord returns
Lena and I send our love to you."

Frank Abissi left a comment for Anne C. Richards

"Hi Anne,
God bless you, It's been too many years. I've been to Maine a couple times in the past years (Katahdin). Next time I'm up there I'll call you. Hey, My Niece, Katie Gassman, is a med school student in Maine. I'm not sure exactly where, maybe…"

Frank Abissi left a comment for David Bailey

"God bless you my Brother. Have a wonderful day on your Birthday. Remember the chats we had back in Emporia so many years ago? I do and they were some great times."

Frank Abissi replied to Ric Cox's discussion What to bring

"You have to realize that I work in a "recreational" setting as a mountain guide. My clients as far as I am concerned are my only priority. If i wasn't a hard ass every peak I've gone to would see me forfeiting my ascents with my clients to help…"

Frank Abissi replied to Ric Cox's discussion What to bring

"I've been in the mountains have seen people unprepared so many times it's frightening. A few years back I was climbing a 20,000 foot peak and at base camp one morning There was an idiot on the rope team ahead of us that was wearing jeans and a…"

Frank Abissi replied to Ric Cox's discussion What to bring

"I still have my MAL pack. I would never use what I have in it or the pack itself for that matter but It's still packed in the attic and ready to go. I think that I could put it into a museum."

Frank Abissi left a comment for Mike and Lisa Tracy

"Hi Mike and Lisa,
Hey I would love to get your song of the week. My Email is Frank@higround.com if you need it.
Glad to hear your still in Iowa."

Frank Abissi left a comment for Nancy Louise Kegley Moran

"Happy Birthday to you Nancy. You are the apple of God's eye!"

Frank Abissi left a comment for marshall cheek

"Hi Marshall, God's blessings to you. It's great to hear your still out there. Love to you from Lena and Me"

More…

Location

Grand Rapids, MI

Birthday:

July 20

Way Corp group(s) I was in

11th

Where I live

Grand Rapids, MI

Married or Single

Married

About Me

Lena Nardone and I were married right after Graduation in the Corps Weddings.Lena and I are blessed with two wonderfilled boys (Andrew 30 and Paul 27), Dog - Pearl and are still hanging out in Grand Rapids. I work a whole lot but really love what I do and Lena comes with me quite often on my trips. I just can't get enough of the deep things of Gods Word. Life is Good. I was ordained to the ministry of God's people on January 10th 2010. My latest project is consulting new climbing wall setups, Helping to write a book for climbing wall instructors and I am also working as an expert witness on court cases involving climbing. I am having a blast. December 12th, 2009 I completed the world record for the most number of feet climbed on artificial climbing walls in a 12 month period, 251,040 feet or 47.348 miles of vertical. The previous record was 110,000 feet in one year. In June of 2014 I graduated from North Western with a M.Th in Biblical studies and Roman culture. I then completed my Th.D in Biblical Philology in December of 2014.The following year I began a very intense program and received my Ph.D in Biblical Philology with a minor in Biblical Studies. I graduated for what i am hoping to be the last time in December of 2015.

My Interests

Still reading the Bible (It's my favorite book). I retook up Banjo playing. In my spare time I'll watch a movie or mess around in the garden with my black thumb. Lena and I bought some land on Owls Head Mountain in the Adirondacks (Keene NY) We hope to put a cabin on it sometime soon and later retire there. In July I attempted to climb the Eiger in Switzerland. We reached a height of 1300 feet above the Eiger windows (about 12,000 feet) I am going back in the Summer of 2016 I am returning to give it another try. If you look on line you will see the Eiger is the most dangerous mountain in the world to climb.

Employment or Career

Mountain Guide, Rock Climbing Gym Owner, Professional Rock Climber, I also am the owner of a company called Emergency Care Training Services LLC. which teaches CPR and First Aid to groups. I am trained as a high rope access technician and do such things as fix clocks on sky scrapers, Light bulbs on cranes. and removing parts of buildings that can only be reached from the outside of the building. The name of my main business though is Higher Ground Rock Climbing Centre Ltd.

Music I Like

James Brown is some of my favorite. I also like classic rock, bluegrass (But I hate country music). My son Paul is an extremely fine concert violinist so I have gotten to enjoy classical. Right now Bob Dylan is playing on my iphone. Lena and I got to JAM with Rusted Root the beginning of August 08. It was really great, lots of fun and the absolute height of my musical career. I have been taking Guitar lessons for the past 5 years, playing mostly Bluegrass.

Books I Like

Just too many too recount here.

Television I like

The BIG knob has always gotten my attention. I especially like to watch anything with a lot of action, like Criminal Minds or Bear Grylls (I am sure he and survivor man make this stuff up as they go). So if anyone wants to stop by sometime I am home (which isn't too often) We can both grab a root beer and watch something with our feet up. Don't forget to bring the chips and dip.

Movies I like

On my days off, which are very rare I like to go to the movie store and find a couple new releases, Eat Potato Chips and Onion Dip and generally make myself into a real slob. My favorite movie of all time is Ishtar with Warren Beatty and Dustin Hoffman. It got the worst ratings I think of all time but it's stupid enough to make sense.

Sports Teams I like

I used to work in Professional Baseball as a Human Resource Director. I saw 170 games of baseball one summer. I don't watch or go near baseball at all any more. DETROIT PISTONS My favorite team though is the "Higher Ground Youth Climbing Team".

Website 1

https://www.higround.com

Website 2

https://www.RockandIceClimber.com

My Email Address:

Frank@higround.com

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Comments

Karen Marie Keller May 30, 2009 at 7:07pm

Hi Frank
God bless you and thank you for trying to remember me I remember your name maybe we should put old pictures up. Well good night
Vickie Fleming Ashby May 27, 2009 at 4:36am

Hi, Frank!

I'm very glad that you're better. The college thing sounds really fun, and it's nice that we don't have to agree about the cause of global warming in order to discuss its effects. If you wore the amplifier, could you teach the classes without straining your voice? Would your doctor clear you to climb those walls this soon? Inquiring minds want to know. They couldn't get a better person to teach those classes than you. If they already have students signing up, they'll need to find someone, though.

My friend, you are at an interesting decision point. Perhaps there is a way to take both paths, in this case. Can you develop a field trip for college credit to one of the walls you're interested in? If people can get college credit for "Summer in Santa Fe," they can surely get it for "Three Weeks on Mt. Stupid." Don't you think?

Well, good luck with it, and have fun with it.

Love, Vickie
Vickie Fleming Ashby May 23, 2009 at 12:59am

Yo, Frank!

How are you, my friend, on this fine Saturday morning? I turned in grades on Tuesday, and am sighing relief. I hope that you are feeling well, and that your voice is gaining every day. Love, Vickie
Patrick Dunn May 19, 2009 at 12:36am

Hi Frank, What a pleasant surprise!! You haven't changed much. Your picture is just like I remembered you. How is Lena doing? I think its great to hear from you. I am married and have two kids, Jesse and Kristina. Jesse runs a fellowhsip in San Diego and Kristina just finished her first year of college. They both love God and are awesome kids. How about you guys? Kids keep us young. Other than that I still run a fellowhip, not affiliated with anyone in particular, except the Body of Christ. Been to India 3 times this last year and France to see the believers there. God has been teaching me great things and life is still fun and challlenging. I ride a Harley Softail. I love motorcyles and love to scuba dive. Haven't dove in a while but I would love to go this year. So now you will have to tell me about you guys. Love you. patrick
Michael Schiano April 30, 2009 at 6:28am

jeez, frank, you've had quite a time. but i'm glad you got those songs, and happy to hear you've enjoyed them. take care of yourself, and don't overdo!
Michael Schiano April 26, 2009 at 12:15pm

frank, did you ever get those tracks i sent you? i never heard anything, so i was wondering. let me know, ok? thx.
craig waller April 14, 2009 at 3:11pm

frank its been a lot of years We spent time together in Philly yes?? playing cards at jim cahouns?? Craig Waller How many st paulie girls???
Carmen Tornambe March 10, 2009 at 3:40pm

Thanks Frank. You're the best. And God knows, I sure could use the prayers. Are things well with you? I'm thankful to know you.......Carmen
Teresa (Yates) Neville March 9, 2009 at 3:01pm

Hi Frank -- I remember you well. The paper was on Panic Attacks and depression and how to handle them without the use of drugs. I still have that paper and believe it or not, I still lend it out from time to time. I keep thinking I should update it and try to publish it. So thanks for remembering it, it blesses me that it touched someone's heart. So you are still in Grand Rapids, your life looks so blessed. That is wonderful. Do you remember the Murphys? Do you know where they are or anything about them. If so, send the info my way, I would love to get a hold of them. Well, thanks for remembering me, take care and God bless -- Teresa
Bonnie Kim Campbell March 4, 2009 at 11:05am

Dear Frank-
God Bless you and thank you for the greeting. I remember you helping me with my research paper. Those were amazing times and I thank you for being so gracious and helpful during the time I was preparing my paper. Love ya.