Ulster County lost a giant yesterday when Frank Vogt died in Florida at age 85.

What a man he was.

FBI agent, district attorney, county judge ... Frank Vogt was imposing and tough, wise and fair, funny and caring.

I'm not sure he'd be comfortable with the comparison, but I considered him the John Wayne of our community. If you're of a certain age, you know what I mean.

I saw a lot of Frank the last several years on and around the golf course. We played in the same foursome a time or two. (He couldn't resist reminding me my game needed lots of work and that my wife, with whom he'd also played, was the real golfer in the family). But mostly we chatted in the clubhouse, where our lockers were opposite each other. It didn't matter what we talked about, I just remember thinking each time we parted that it was too bad there weren't more Frank Vogts around.

What a man he was.