Frank Boos, 'Antiques Roadshow' appraiser

BLOOMFIELD HILLS, Mich. -- Frank Boos, the bow-tied appraiser on the PBS program ''Antiques Roadshow," has died at his home near Detroit. He was 70.

Mr. Boos, an original member of the show's cast, appraised thousands of mainly silver antiques as the show toured American cities for the past decade.

''He really maintained, up until the very last time we worked with him, genuine childlike excitement about the old things," said Marsha Bemko, executive producer of the show, which is produced by WGBH-TV in Boston.

Mr. Boos died in his sleep Tuesday morning at his home in Bloomfield Hills from complications from vascular disease, his son Jonathan said yesterday.

He ran an auctioneer, appraisal, and gallery business in Troy for more than 37 years, at times handling the sale of Michigan's most famous collections. He also handled the collection of the late Minoru and Teruko Yamasaki. Minoru Yamasaki designed the World Trade Center towers.

Bemko said that in some cities, Mr. Boos would appraise hundreds of objects, many of them of little value, but still would make people feel good about their antiques.

''It did not have to be this great treasure for him to get excited. He would just get excited meeting people and talking about their objects," Jonathan Boos said.

Mr. Boos loved sharing his years of knowledge, telling people the origin and age of their antiques, Bemko said.

''He loved sharing what he knows about things, uncovering mysteries for people," she said.

In addition to his son Jonathan, Mr. Boos leaves his wife, Nancy; three other children, Christopher, Kristina, and Alexandra Stephenson; and five grandchildren.

Services were held yesterday.