Frank Rybiski, billed by this publication as “Wayland’s Greatest Bowler,” died Friday afternoon at his home in Leighton Township. He was 78.

Rybiski rolled more than 30 perfect 300 games in his career and still was able to roll a 266 at Spectrum Lanes last January in Grand Rapids.

Bowling has been in the blood for him and his family. He started by working for Haven Tarnutzer at Airport Lanes as a pin setter in the 1950s for 10 cents a game. Tarnutzer reportedly tried to get Frank to buy the business, but daughter Sherry said, “I think Mom and Dad had just gotten married and bought their house and didn’t want to go further in debt.”

Sherry Rybiski Miklusicak currently is boys’ varsity bowling coach for Wayland High School and her father had served over the past several years as a volunteer assistant coach. He also has been a longtime friend of girls’ varsity coach Eric Bottrall.

Bottrall said, ““Frank is an amazing man that has been a huge influence and inspiration to me!”

He continued to rack up impressive scores on the lanes over the years, even into early this year until he was diagnosed with lung cancer.

Rybiski was a Grand Rapids USBC Hall of Fame member. His description as ojne of the area’s top bowlers applied to him for the better part of five decades.

Frank’s bowling could easily be described in numbers: More than thirty 300 games; ten 800 series, with a high of 857; more than twenty appearances on the Traditional or Senior All-City Team (most recently in 2018).

A spokesperson for the GRUSBC said, “But Frank was so much more than that — he was a great teammate, coach, mentor, and one of the kindest men around. Those who knew Frank looked up to him, and although his passing leaves a hole in our hearts, it’s comforting to think back on the great memories that so many of us have with him.”

Sydney Urben, who bowled for Wayland High School and was Division 2 state champion, said, “An inspiration to many in the bowling community. Frank was one of the greatest people I’ve ever met, and I’ll continue to strive to be more like him. He will be greatly missed.”

He spent most of his working years as an employee at White’s in Middleville.

Among his survivors are wife Mary Lou, daughter Sherry and son Brian.

More information about funeral arrangements will be forthcoming.