Frank passed away last night at about 9:30pm at the Partners in Care Hospice House in Bend, Oregon. Joanne, Anne and I were with him during his last few days and had the opportunity to say goodbye and tell him how much we loved him. The Hospice House was an incredible place for Frank to spend his final week; the staff there did an amazing job keeping him comfortable so that we could focus on loving him and supporting each other.
Over the last 3 years, Frank suffered from ataxia, a neurological condition that gradually affects balance, walking, speech, swallowing and breathing. Up until his last week he was able to stay at his lovely home in Bend, where Joanne did an incredible job caring for him. He was able to enjoy the great view and parade of birds and squirrels that visited the feeders along the deck. We enjoyed a wonderful and memorable Thanksgiving visit with him before his health declined sharply in December. This photo was taken during that visit.
All - I have such wonderful memories of (Uncle) Frank. Many nights where our family went to Frank & Joanne's house in Houston for pool, yummy dinners, and good memories (Todd, do you remember the amazing haunted house we set up for Haloween's one year?). Our camping trips to Rockport. The trip where Frank took Todd & I to Texas A&M to meet the Dean of Chemical Engineering, and led to my decision to go to school there. And after our Dad passed away and Frank and Joanne invited our family out to Bend for that Christmas; it was amazing to spent that holiday season with them and Todd and Anne (Anne, I remember going to the duck pond in Bend with one of your daughters, and the comforting words you said about my father), and how it would have been so much harder to spend it in Houston. Frank and Joanne coming to our wedding in Santa Fe, and having a great conversation with Frank & Joanne over lunch the next day at La Fonda. And Frank's bird photographs, what a gift and passion he had! I am so happy that I was part of his, and he was part of my, family.
ReplyDeleteI would like to share this beautiful poem by Jane Kenyon, which I hope will provide a little comfort in what I know are difficult days for Joanne, Todd, Anne and your families...
http://www.poets.org/viewmedia.php/prmMID/16019
Our thoughts are with you as you celebrate Frank's life, his memories and the wonderful gifts that he left all of us...
Michael, Lynore, Katie & Christopher
Santa Fe
Mike, Thanks for the great contribution and lovely poem. I have many fond memories of our times together at Goose Island fishing, crabbing, boating and just having a great time. Do you remember that epic fishing day when we caught all those speckled trout off the causeway?
ReplyDeleteTo Frank and Joanne's family;
ReplyDeleteI admit, I did not know Frank that long. I will remember his smile and greetings when I was there. I will also remember his great heart for the beautiful pictures of birds, (what a gift of eye he had for nature)!
My prayers and wishes to his family and friends.
Mike Bowman
I just met Frank & Joanne several months ago. I was impressed at the obvious love and devotion between them. Sitting on their porch having lunch I noticed how they were still like teenagers the way they looked at each other. They both wore a sparkle in their eye and a big smile when they talked about how they met. It was clear that they were still best of friends after all these years. I found it inspirational as it was my first witness to the true testament of marriage where such love, devotion and kindredness had been maintained over a lifetime. The joy and serenity in their presence was a true blessing to behold.
ReplyDeleteMy prayers are with Frank's family and I am here, Joanne, if you need anything.
Junelle
Here's a comment for this post emailed to me by Joe and Nelda Linman, Frank and Joanne's next-door neighbors in Bend:
ReplyDeleteThe old English proverb about good fences making good neighbors begs the question of what makes extraordinary neighbors. The answer might be a careful blend of respect for privacy and abiding congeniality. That would be a fair but inadequate description of Frank and Joanne, our neighbors of these past 19 years. This photo captures exactly how we have always known them - - together, generously sharing their hospitality and friendship.
Among the joys of many visits next door was Frank's skill at concealing his intellect with simple, often self-deprecating humor. Not a boisterous, belly-laugh kind of guy, Frank was a man of many chuckles. His rushed excitement for sharing a story, liberally punctuated by his chuckling, occasionally could impair his delivery beyond our ability to comprehend but, regardless, infectious laughter ensued simply from his delight. The stories may not have been memorable; his telling was unforgettable.
Upon reflection, it is gratifying that Frank, a minimalist of well-concealed stature, could not escape international recognition for his bond with the tiny hummingbird. They had much in common - - quiet, unobtrusive, possessed of amazing skills and a joy to be around. We look forward to putting out feeders for the hummers again in the spring as each sighting will bring fond thoughts of Frank.
Joe and Nelda Linman
This is a letter I wrote Frank back in mid-December. I meant to send it to him but before I did I heard of his passing. I thought I would post it here though because it expresses how important he was to me.
ReplyDeleteDear Uncle Frank,
I was biking into my office this morning when I saw a field full of geese. I don’t know what kind they were, but they were strutting around, honking at one another, and it was funny because just at the very moment that I saw them, I’d been thinking of you a great deal.
Mom, of course, has told me about your health problems and I’ve been very sorry to hear about them.
Did I ever tell you how much I appreciate the time that you and Jo invited us out to Bend, the winter after Dad died? You made a very hard time for me better and I wanted you to know it.
Too, I wanted you to know that I’ve always really looked up to you. I’ve admired you not just for your leadership and your strength, but also for your warmth and your humor, your ability to bring people together, and the great care that you always showed to Grandmother.
Also, I always greatly enjoyed seeing you and my Dad together. The two of you seemed to have such an easy, close relationship and I feel now that my Dad may have even thought of you as the brother he never had.
And of course I have such great memories of all those camping trips and pool parties our families shared. Did anyone ever catch as many fish as our two families did off the big pier in Goose Island that one Thanksgiving?
Anyway, I wanted you to know how much you’ve always meant to me and that I think about you and wish you all the best.
Love,
Steve