Vahram Frank Vidian

Vahram Frank Vidian, died on Sunday, February 2, 2025, at the age of 93. He was born in Racine on August 23, 1931, son of the late Armen and Archalus (Nee: Teknayan) Vidian. Frank married Alice Vidian on June 29, 1963, of Detroit, Michigan. Alice passed away in Racine on December 30, 2023 at the age of 92.

Frank was a multi-decade business leader in the city of Racine and an avid supporter of St. Mesrob Armenian Church and numerous other community institutions for which he served an essential part. But most importantly to him, he was a devoted husband and father.

During high school at the age of 16, he started work as a bank teller at Farmers & Merchants Bank in Racine, where he became facile in the inner workings of banking, and also developed a loyal following of customers. In 1970, Frank made a life-changing decision to become one of the first bankers at a new bank Sam Johnson was creating called Heritage Bank (which later became Johnson Bank). Starting out in a trailer park home at Three Mile & Main Street, Frank, with a reputation as a man of his word who delivered on what he told you he could and would do, went on to provide loans and banking services that fueled countless Racine-area businesses and grew the bank to multiple locations across the state. Frank eventually became Executive Vice President, playing lead roles in many of its commercial lending activities.

Frank was frequently called upon for his tremendous reach to drive charitable fundraising efforts for the Racine community, which he cheerfully took on as a proud Racine native. He was active with St. Mesrob Armenian Church in Racine, having served as part of the steering committee for the fundraising and development of the Erie Street location. For the Kiwanis Club, he was a driving force behind its annual Pancake Day fundraiser.

But it was his family that gave him the most pride. Frank and Alice built a home together in Wind Point that became their residence for 58 years until moving to St. Monica’s. Having grown up without significant financial means and no formal college degree himself, Frank placed enormous value in raising his son, Armen, to value education, sparing no expense or sacrifice in that realm. He supported and celebrated any victories his son had, and he was there for every downfall. Together with Alice, Frank’s biggest hobby was to track his son’s business and personal adventures across the world and to tell anyone who would listen all about them.

Frank is survived by his son, Armen A. Vidian, of San Francisco, CA, nephew Paul Boumbulian of Athens, GA, niece Madelyn (Boumbulian) Dunmire of Phoenix, AZ, and nephew Gary Vidian of Racine, WI.

Visitation will be at St. Mesrob Armenian Church, at 4605 Erie Street, from 9:30am – 10:30am on Saturday, February 22nd, followed immediately by a service at 10:30am. Interment will follow at Graceland Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, the family prefers donations to be made to St. Mesrob Armenian Church at stmesrobchurch.org/donations.