Hydrology Posted December 7, 2018 Share Posted December 7, 2018 It is with great sadness that we let all our clients and friends know that Frank Prowse passed away yesterday at 88 years of age. He was blessed with 88 years of good health and a very brief 3 week of illness. Frank loved the hifi industry dearly and his love of music never faded. He was involved in the fledgling audio industry from his very early days working and managing Stanwood's Radio in the UK, before emigrating to Australia in 1964. In Perth he worked briefly for Canes and Knowles electrical store, before joining Boans department store in Perth in the brown goods department (TV and Audio) in 1965. He left Boans in 1968 to open Perth's first K-Mart store in Morley where he managed the Electrical department. In 1970 he was headhunted by Alberts HiFi owner Hal Wallis and joined the team at the Hay Street East Perth location. The Alberts organisation expanded and Perth HiFi was opened in Hay street Perth, after Alberts HiFi purchased Hoods Records. This was on the location of the current Wesley Centre. Frank Managed this store. When the Wesley Centre redevelopment was planned, Perth HiFi moved to the new location of 396 Murray Street. The name changed shortly after to Alberts HiFi and this became the iconic location for HiFi stores in Perth for many years. Within 100 metres of the Alberts HiFi location we soon saw Douglas HiFi, (later to become Brashes) Sound Advice, Audio World, The Sony Shop and West Coast HiFi all arrive, at various times and location on the Murray Street strip. Frank became a director of Alberts HiFi which had now expanded to 5 locations including East Perth, Victoria Park, Fremantle, Northlands and Leslie Leonard HiFi in City Arcade Perth where his son Dave first started work after finishing high school in 1976 under store manager Vince Ross. After a disagreement in business direction with Alberts, Frank decided at the ripe old age of 60 to go it alone and purchased Bob Jones Audio in Mosman Park from ex-client, turned retailer Bob Jones. Bob got into the HiFi business as he said it was cheaper to go into the business than keep buying HiFi from Frank. Frank took over the business in 1990 and changed the name to Frank Prowse HiFi. Bob always told Frank that it would never be more than a one man shop but in the hey days of the industry in 2000-2007 we had 14 staff so the business had grown considerably under Frank's leadership. Frank retired from full time work in 2007 at 77 years old. He continued to assist us with various pick ups and drop offs up until 5 weeks ago when his decline began. Thank you to all those that have made contact with us in the past 24 hours - your thoughts and condolences are so appreciated. It is such a joy to hear the old stories of Frank's relationship with you all. May he rest in Peace in HiFi Heaven But have it turned up all the way to 11. Dave and Barb Prowse, Sister Sharon and their families Frank Prowse 1930 - 2018 20 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rodders3 Posted December 7, 2018 Share Posted December 7, 2018 Great read. Thank you for posting. RIP Frank. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wimbo Posted December 7, 2018 Share Posted December 7, 2018 36 minutes ago, Hydrology said: It is with great sadness that we let all our clients and friends know that Frank Prowse passed away yesterday at 88 years of age. He was blessed with 88 years of good health and a very brief 3 week of illness. God, I hope I die that way. R.I.P. Frank. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest DarkNark Posted December 7, 2018 Share Posted December 7, 2018 Rest in Peace Frank. Condolences to Dave and the family. Sad news indeed. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wolster Posted December 7, 2018 Share Posted December 7, 2018 A wonderful tribute. Bought my first home theatre system in the Mosman Park shop and the occasional component since, including at the new premises. Always great and friendly service. Remember Frank well. RIP. 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
EekOZ Posted December 7, 2018 Share Posted December 7, 2018 RIP Frank Prowse! Great photo in that article. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
EekOZ Posted December 7, 2018 Share Posted December 7, 2018 2 minutes ago, wolster said: A wonderful tribute. Bought my first home theatre system in the Mosman Park shop and the occasional component since, including at the new premises. Always great and friendly service. Remember Frank well. RIP. Same here, bought my first amp and speakers there and still go back every once in a while to see what I need next. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
krakatana Posted December 7, 2018 Share Posted December 7, 2018 I bought my first speakers from Frank about 20 years ago. A lovely guy who was so patient and helpful with my agonizing decision. RIP 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
betty boop Posted December 7, 2018 Share Posted December 7, 2018 Sorry to hear ! Lovely tribute as an out of Towner I visited frank prowse HiFi on one of my wa trips. Just out of interest and made clear had no intent to buy, yet staff were very courteous happy to show me around and demo. No doubt a hall mark of business established by the founder. May the business go many years into the future in his memory 3 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
audiofeline Posted December 7, 2018 Share Posted December 7, 2018 It sounds like he made a significant contribution to the hifif industry and to the enjoyment of music for many people. RIP. 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cafe67 Posted December 7, 2018 Share Posted December 7, 2018 Sad indeed, I bought a number of products from Frank over the years at the various stores and he was. Always good to deal with. Frank Prowse hifi is always worth a visit, interesting gear, good music and good coffee. 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
A J Posted December 7, 2018 Share Posted December 7, 2018 I would live maybe 5 mins walk from the Frank Prowse HiFi store - my condolences 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mtf Posted December 7, 2018 Share Posted December 7, 2018 I spent many hours in his stores in my formative years, looking, listening, learning, being inspired. He indeed made a very big impact on my hi fi adventure. Cheers Frank R.I.P Condolences to his family and friends 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Antipodean Brad Posted December 8, 2018 Share Posted December 8, 2018 I was greatly saddened to hear this. Mr Prowse - as I've called him for the last 47 years - was a lovely man. He was always very pleasant and helpful, and was very patient with me in my impecunious visits. My sincerest condolences to Dave and the rest of the family, his friends, and to the staff of Frank Prowse Hi-Fi. 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cafe67 Posted December 8, 2018 Share Posted December 8, 2018 12 hours ago, A J said: I would live maybe 5 mins walk from the Frank Prowse HiFi store - my condolences One of my "powerball" shops 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest MAXXX Posted December 8, 2018 Share Posted December 8, 2018 (edited) R.I.P. Edited December 8, 2018 by MAXXX Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
THOMO Posted December 8, 2018 Share Posted December 8, 2018 That business has always been a model of good manners and fundamental decency and that is great legacy. Well done Frank Prowse. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
zydeco Posted December 9, 2018 Share Posted December 9, 2018 On 08/12/2018 at 7:57 PM, THOMO said: That business has always been a model of good manners and fundamental decency and that is great legacy. Well said - that's been my experience and one that has continued with David Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
EddieT Posted December 9, 2018 Share Posted December 9, 2018 God bless. Pretty good innings Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stereonut Posted December 9, 2018 Share Posted December 9, 2018 Sad news and condolences to Dave and the family. I brought my first Proac's from Frank when he was in Hay Street and Dave was probably still in shorts! It would have been late 70s. And I still have (and use) some banana plugs I brought at the same time! RIP. SN Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
joeling Posted December 12, 2018 Share Posted December 12, 2018 Sorry to hear. RIP Frank. Bought my first real hifi from Frank Prowse at the end of 1994 - a NAD 302 & a pair of Mirage speakers. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TerryO Posted December 12, 2018 Share Posted December 12, 2018 When I met you a couple of months ago Mark while I was over in Perth you spoke very highly of Frank and what he had achieved and his business ethic, it was easy to see that you thought much of the man and your well written tribute to him proves that. I am very sorry to hear of the passing of your valued friend and a bloke who very much sounded like one of life’s true gentlemen. .... Terry 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hydrology Posted December 13, 2018 Author Share Posted December 13, 2018 Thanks to everyone for the kind comments and stories. The ceremony to acknowledge Frank's life, legacy and his absolute integrity, took place yesterday here in Perth. Over 230 people attended including many from the industry, past and present, customers of Frank, as well as family and friends. It was only fitting that for a gentleman so passionate about audio, the only solution we felt able to handle and successfully replicate his musical choices (chamber and choral) with grandiosity and to help make that emotional connection, fell to the Kii Three active speakers. They more than succeeded, but more importantly, only the best for Frank. 5 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
woadl Posted December 13, 2018 Share Posted December 13, 2018 It's was a very moving service, and I was amazed at the sound quality of the Kii speakers, they punch well above there size ! 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sevoman Posted December 21, 2018 Share Posted December 21, 2018 My sincere condolences to David, his family and all of the staff at Frank Prowse Hi Fi. I met Frank only a couple of times at Mosman Park - a lovely knowledgeable man, old fashioned and kind, and not a pushy salesman. His DNA has passed through to all who work at the current location. David and his staff have always been incredibly helpful, offered good advice with great service. I am always treated like a friend when I visit. I live overseas now in a Hi Fi desert so trips back to Perth have to include a visit to Dave and his crew. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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