(Author’s note: With special thanks to Brennan Bell — who truly understands the spirit of the holidays — for inspiring this story.)

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

Bailey Knutson, 3, jumps into the lap of Robert Franks, his neighbor and friend at Geneva Tower on Tuesday, Dec. 20, 2011, in Cedar Rapids. Franks retired from playing Santa due to poor health in the 1990s, but children still call him "Santa" when they see him out and about, and Bailey calls Franks "Santa" year-round. (Liz Martin/SourceMedia Group News)

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 his 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?”

Robert Franks retired from playing Santa due to poor health in the 1990s, but children still call him "Santa" when they see him out and about. Photographed on Tuesday, Dec. 20, 2011, at his Geneva Tower apartment in Cedar Rapids. (Liz Martin/SourceMedia Group News)

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 at 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 list.

“I’m not going to disappoint them,” he said.

But sitting on Santa’s lap is out of the question.

“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 owns, was made for him by a friend.

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

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, said Nancy Harrington, who owned the restaurant/bar before selling it in 1999.

He portrayed Santa at annual Christmas parties for children at the site at 6913 Mount Vernon Rd. SE.

“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 recalled one emergency that happened during the event in 1993.

“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. He made it to St. Luke’s just an hour before his mother, Jessie Franks, died on Christmas Eve.

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

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