Frank Aslaksen

Frank Aslaksen passed away suddenly at his home in Davie, Florida on December 29th, 2021 of natural causes at 57 years of age. Frank, born in Hisoy, Norway, was a lifelong “Viking” and man of the sea. He began working as a maritime electrician at the age of 19, following in the footsteps of many in his family who sailed the world, including his father (deceased), Johan “Gutteman” Aslaksen, and his older brother, Roy, who spent his career as a Maritime navigational officer and captain. In Frank’s early career, after serving in the Norwegian Army, he traveled the world from the Middle East to Brazil, working on various merchant vessels from car transports to diving exploration ships. Frank studied maritime electrical engineering in Arendal, Norway. Upon completion of his degree, he was quickly recruited in 1989 to join Royal Caribbean Cruise Line (RCCL) onboard Song of America as an Electrical Officer sailing from Miami. Frank would end up making South Florida his permanent home, marrying Rhonda Ritchie in 1992, whom he had met when she worked as a singer on Song of America. They were married for 24 years and share a son, Erik Aslaksen, whom they lovingly co-parented. In Frank’s early cruise career Royal Caribbean recognized Frank’s exceptional skills and work ethic, and promoted him to work on the ship building team at Kvaerner Masa Yards in Helsinki, Finland in the mid 90’s, constructing the Grandeur of the Seas. Frank would help on the build of two more ships for RCCL in Papenburg, Germany at Meyer Werft. When he was not working on ship-building projects Frank was at sea working as Chief Electrical Engineer on many RCCL ships including Grandeur of the Seas, Monarch of the Seas, Enchantment of the Seas, and the Radiance of the Seas among others.

Frank would stretch his wings, moving on to many other interesting maritime appointments where he would spend about half his time abroad and half at home. Among them, Sea Launch – a project that launched commercial satellites into space from the Pacific Ocean, oil platforms in the Gulf of Mexico (where he had to prove he could get himself out of a helicopter underwater) and then finally spending 5 years in South Korea with Ocean Rig, LLC, building oil-drilling platforms. Eventually Frank would return to the career he loved most, the cruise business. He joined Norwegian Cruise Line (NCL), based out of Miami in 2014 as Electrical Superintendent of multiple ships. With this position he was able to spend more quality time with his son, Erik, which brought him great joy. He continued with NCL until his death, forging many friendships.

Frank is survived by his beloved son, Erik, age 18, and family in Norway, including his mother Gerd, whom Frank loved beyond measure, brother Roy (Mona), nephews Bjorn Fredrik (Zarah) and Joachim (Camilla) and numerous aunts, uncles and cousins. In addition, Frank loved his South Florida family - a group of 5 families who were not blood relatives but with whom Frank spent countless special occasions for nearly 30 years. Frank’s family, colleagues and friends will sorely miss Frank’s passion for deep discussions, gatherings around great meals with the occasional Bacardi Limon and Diet Coke, and his vast view of the world he traveled, from East Asia to South America, from Alaska to Houma, Louisiana, from Milan to Moscow, Turkey to Turku and many places in between. Most of all Frank will be missed by his cherished son, Erik, who adored fishing, boating and road trips with his Papa.

A service in remembrance of Frank’s life will be announced at a later date and will include both Florida (Norwegian Seaman's Church in Davie) and Norway. In lieu of flowers you may express remembrance for Frank by making a donation to support research in ocean science, coral reef restoration and shark studies at Nova Southeastern University. Go to nova.edu/give to make a donation in memory of Frank Aslaksen. Please select RESEARCH and choose the option of CORAL REEF INIATIVES or SAVE OUR SEAS SHARK RESEARCH CENTER (or any other cause you feel Frank would be proud to support). You may leave a message at this site and a card will be sent to Erik Aslaksen to acknowledge your gift.