A native of Lancaster, Pennsylvania, Frantz began his career in education as a graduate of Millersville State Teachers College in 1959. He received both his master's degree and a doctorate in education from the University of Maryland. He was an associate professor of Industry and Technology at Northern Illinois University from 1967 to 1970, an associate professor of Vocational Education at the University of Georgia from 1970 to 1974, and a professor of Occupational Education at the University of Delaware from 1974 to 1979.
In 1979 he joined the faculty at Virginia Tech as professor and director of the Division of Vocational and Technical Education, a post he held for 14 years. During that time, Frantz's accomplishments were many. The Vocational Technical Education program grew and gained an international reputation for student selectivity, faculty research, and comprehensive course offerings. It drew students from across the United State as well as Finland, Greece, Taiwan, Malaysia, Belize, China, South Africa, Nigeria, and other countries.
Frantz also became a noted leader in the field of vocational and technical education world wide, made numerous presentations to professional organizations, and was widely published. He worked with the U.S. Department of Education, the National Center for Research in Vocational Education, and businesses and community colleges throughout Virginia. In 1987 he was named ambassador with the People to Peoples Program to the People's Republic of China.
Frantz was executive director of Omicron Tau Theta, a graduate honorary professional society. In 1994 Frantz was chosen recipient of the Outstanding Service Award by the American Vocational Association. The award is given to educators in recognition of meritorious contributions to the improvement, promotion, development, and progress of vocational/technical education. Also in 1994 he was selected as a Fulbright Scholar by the Council for International Exchange of Scholars and the Finland U.S. Educational Exchange Commission and spent a two-month period at the Institute for Educational Research at the University of Jyvaskyla in Finland.
Frantz is survived by his three children, Dean Custer Frantz and Keith Bertzfield Frantz of Blacksburg, and Jo Ellen Frantz of Hickory, NC, and his former wife Sally Jo Custer Frantz of Blacksburg. Memorial contributions may be made to the NevinRichards Frantz, Jr. Outstanding Graduate Student Award Fund, care of Omicron Tau Theta, room 119 Wallace Hall, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, VA, 24061-0467.