Embedded Files
Frank's daughter Trinity singing a few of Frank's songs (lyrics for these songs and others can be found on the songs page)
Art by Frank's daughter Earth
Dad was rarely without a book in his pocket, and, as much as he loved singing and conversation, he loved to sit and read whenever he had a moment. He was filled with an intense curiosity about the world around him, and read widely and without reservation across genres and fields: fiction, history, biography, philosophy, essays, art, comics, and more. All were subjected to his active and thoughtful attention. I grew up surrounded by books and finding a joy in books as natural as breathing.
While he did try to steer me into more practical fields, the seeds of my interest in studying English literature started with the books he brought to our home (although the focus on plays likely came from mom’s history in theater). A dedicated union man and democrat, dad always worked to try to improve the world around him. He would talk to anyone, and such was his charisma that they would almost always end up having a conversation with him. He cared about people, about animals, about the environment, and about culture. He modeled a way of thinking and connecting ideas that shaped my approaches to literary study and my scholarship, and his joy in sharing and considering ideas has deeply influenced my teaching.
I didn’t know, growing up, how rare that spirit of inquiry really is, and how profoundly lucky I feel to have been encouraged to think and care deeply about the world. He was an amazing and talented man and I am lucky to have known him.
- Liberty
(Frank's daughter)
When I was little, one Christmas I got a cassette walkman. My dad gave me a tape of Buddy Holly and the Crickets to go with it. I remember the first time I played that tape with my headphones on and felt like my world was forever changed. My dad introduced me to a lot of the music I cherish that made me socially out of sync with my peers, but Buddy Holly was the first of these obsessions I remember. In his final days, the time I spent with my dad was largely playing him music that I knew he loved and talking with him about it. I am forever grateful to my dad for many things. . . his fierce unconditional love, the strength of his convictions, his work to provide for us. . . and I would not be the person I am today were it not for the diversity of music he introduced me to throughout my life, in addition to his own compositions, several of which we all knew by heart at a young age. Music wove throughout the stories of my father's life, influenced his thoughts and attitudes, provided structure to communicate universal truths, and brought comforting familiarity to his final days. I'm so glad that he shared it with me.
- Trinity
(Frank's daughter)
From Tommy Zai
From Tommy Zai
Dear
Frank,
I will miss . . .
Your
big beatnik heart
Filled
with hope, kindness, and love
I
will miss . . .
Your
vision of a better world
With
less time spent on the job and
More
time spent doing things that work
I
will miss . . .
Your
stories and wonderful words of wisdom
No
matter how many times you told them
Even
when you poked me between sentences
I
will miss . . .
You
entering my personal space, so close
Yet
I was happy to share my space with you
And
you alone
I
will miss . . .
Your
kind, considerate, intelligent, handsome face
What
a great head of hair
Everywhere
I
will miss . . .
Your
art of spoken words and
Collages
on the fridge
But
most of all . . .
I
will miss you, Frank. Love you forever, man! And a special thank you for answering the age old question, “Is there life before death?” You knew how to live and love and you left a glorious mark.
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