During that time, he participated in ocean technology projects that wrote him into the history books, according to his peers.

"Frank was an original thinker who pushed the limits of every endeavor he undertook, especially in pursuing new energy concepts for Hawai'i," said Tak Yoshihara, a former state energy director.

His most groundbreaking work was to assist the state, Lockheed and Dillingham International — Hawaiian Dredging's parent company at the time — in the development of an experimental plant that created thermal energy from a mix of seawater: cold water from the depths, and warm from the surface.

McHale was project manager for Mini-OTEC, the world's first successful working ocean thermal energy plant, said John Craven, a top scientist in the federal government's submarine programs in the 1960s and Hawai'i's marine affairs coordinator under Gov. John A. Burns.

Craven said when Mini-OTEC was proposed in response to the energy crisis of the early 1970s, he insisted on a single project manager to coordinate the undertaking for all three partners. McHale got the job, and Mini-OTEC successfully created 100 kilowatts of energy.

"Eventually," Craven said, "it will be a major, major source of energy."

Research and development of the large pipelines needed for ocean thermal energy conversion paved the way for the Natural Energy Laboratory of Hawai'i at Keahole on the Big Island.

McHale's management at Hawaiian Dredging also advanced the construction of the Clarey Bridge, which spans Pearl Harbor to Ford Island. The floating concrete bridge has the world's longest movable span opening.

McHale was a low-key person who had a way of deflecting the spotlight away from himself and toward the project, Yoshihara said.

"However significant his contributions were," he said, "I will remember him best for his friendship."

McHale loved tugboats, his friends said, and was a member of the team that restored the Navy's USS Hoga.

The Hoga had helped to ground the USS Nevada when it was hit during the attack on Pearl Harbor, keeping the damaged ship from blocking the channel.

McHale was born in Providence, R.I. He attended the Massachusetts Institute of Technology and graduated in 1961 from the Cornell University School of Civil Engineering.

He was an Air Force veteran. Later, he was a member of the Navy League.

McHale is survived by his wife, Sharon McHale of Hono-lulu. He leaves a daughter, Kara Eastwood of Glen Ellyn, Ill., and a son, Christopher J. McHale of San Mateo, Calif.

A memorial service will be held 2:30 p.m. Saturday at Calvary by the Sea Lutheran church in 'Aina Haina. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Christian Children's Fund, 2821 Emerywood Parkway, Richmond, VA 23274. McHale was buried in the family plot at Mount St. Mary Cemetery in Pawtucket, R.I.