St. Nick look-alike inspires believers to ask: Santa?

CEDAR RAPIDS - Think of it as “Miracle on 34th Street,” in reverse.

Unlike Kris Kringle in the classic Christmas tale, Robert Franks doesn't believe he is Santa Claus, but others are certain of it.

“I have kids tell me that all the time,” said Franks, 62, of Cedar Rapids. “Parents, too.”

That comes with the territory when you have a naturally white beard, twinkling eyes and a jolly disposition. Santa, er, Franks laughs easily in conversation and stays positive despite personal setbacks.

In recent years, he has suffered back problems related to past work in landscaping and has had hip and knee replacements and surgery on both shoulders.

Last year, Franks moved to Geneva Tower, which provides subsidized housing for the elderly and mentally or physically challenged.

“He's a nice man,” said Geneva Tower administrator Bob Hagarty. “I keep trying to get him to be a Santa. He does look like it, doesn't he?”

Franks started growing a beard when he was just 17, and the white came shortly after, when he was 25. Because of his striking resemblance to Santa, he is often approached about playing the role.

Instead of the North Pole or a department store, however, Franks can often be seen waiting for rides to doctor appointments outside the downtown Geneva Tower high-rise, 310 Fifth Ave. SE - looking like St. Nick, even without the red suit.

He listens patiently to children who approach him with their Christmas wish lists. “I'm not going to disappoint them,” he said.

Sitting on Santa's lap is out of the question, though. “My health is so bad, I can't do it anymore,” Franks said.

He had stepped in as Santa Claus for parties and other events before his health problems but was never a mall Santa. His red suit, which he still has, was made for him by a friend.

“It's not one of those cheap ones you buy at Kmart or Walmart,” he said.

His brother, who also is a Santa look-alike, is borrowing the suit this holiday.

Franks plans to spend a low-key Christmas with friends at Geneva Tower this year, but given his own wish, he would be in another state.

“If I had a chance, I'd want to be with my daughter and grandkid in South Dakota,” he said, referring to his 3-year-old grandson. “I made it there two years, but I couldn't afford to go this year.”

In past years, Franks brought the spirit of Christmas to patrons of Nancy's Country Inn, 6913 Mount Vernon Rd. SE, said Nancy Harrington, who owned the restaurant/bar before selling it in 1999. He portrayed Santa at annual Christmas parties for children.

“It was just wonderful,” Harrington said. “He looked so much like Santa and acted like Santa. It just made Christmas more special for the kids.”

Franks recalls an emergency call during the 1993 party.

“I was playing Santa at Nancy's, and I got a call, telling me to go to the hospital,” he said. “I had one more kid to go. I couldn't disappoint that kid.”

Franks stayed and listened to the child's wish list. He made it to St. Luke's Hospital just an hour before his mother, Jessie Franks, died on Christmas Eve.

Although still saddened by the memory, Franks recalled the impression his appearance in the red Santa suit made that day.

“You should have seen the people at the hospital,” he said.

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