Frank J. Evancich's Obituary
Just three weeks short of his 80th birthday, Frank Evancich passed away at his home in Tacoma on September 25, 2002 following a valiant but brief battle with cancer. It was a beautiful day, the view of Mt. Rainier was spectacular, and his family was with him as he left for one more trip up the mountain.Frank was born in Alder, Washington on October 9, 1922. He was raised in Fife by his aunt and uncle, Maria and Anton Iskra, where Frank was a popular and accomplished member of Fife High School's graduating class of' 41. He lettered in football, baseball and basketball, and was a starting guard on Fife's undefeated State Class B championship football team in 1939, a team that set a state scoring record of 327 points in ten games.Frank attended Pacific Lutheran University for one year before joining the United States Navy in November 1942. He was extremely proud to have been a member of the U.S. Navy's Submarine Service, serving aboard the USS Thornback S-418 in the Pacific until his discharge in January 1946. Frank became an active member of U.S. Submarine Veterans of World War II and attended a number of national and regional conventions over the years. Frank was a loyal and dedicated employee of Pacific Northwest Bell Telephone Company for 38 years, joining the company in 1946 and retiring in 1983. Frank will be remembered as a scrappy, fun-loving team player at work and at play, qualities that made him "a natural leader in the clubhouse." In 1958, at the age of 36, he was elected president of the Communications Workers of America Local 9104 and took pride in "keeping Ma Bell honest" through many spirited contract negotiations over the years. Upon retirement, Frank became an active member of the Telephone Pioneers of America and represented the Pioneers in the Olympic Torch Relay when it passed through Tacoma in 1984. He was also an active member of the Tacoma Elks Lodge #1 74 for nearly 30 years. More than anything else, Frank was a loving and inspiring husband to his wife of 52 years, Elizabeth, and father to his son David, and daughter Linda. He was always there with them and for them, opening their eyes, minds, and hearts to a world of beauty, opportunity, and adventure. In the 50's and 60's, family camping and fishing vacations took them all to the Olympic Peninsula, the San Juan Islands, and Campbell River B.C. In 1969, Frank climbed Mt. Rainier with David and reached the summit a second time at the age of 50 three years later. In retirement, Frank and Elizabeth traveled to Scotland, Pennsylvania, Massachusetts and Virginia to visit their nomadic children and grandchildren. The events of 9/11/01 canceled a planned trip to New Hampshire.Frank is survived by his wife Elizabeth of Tacoma; son David of Cornish, NH; daughter Linda Rodin of Spokane; daughter-in-law Margaret O'Neil; son-in-law R. Scott Rodin; six grandchildren - Jennifer, Laura and Kara Evancich, and Anthony, Ryan and Lindsay Rodin; mother Katherine Gnatovich (age 103) of Kellogg, ID; sisters Mary Pierce of Kellogg, Evelyn Fisk of Tacoma, and Joanne Zorio of Henderson, NV; and nine nieces and nephews.Frank loved his family, his friends, sunsets, the mountains, the ocean, fishing, hunting, golf, gardening, and for years, raising a few beef cattle at the ranch in Fife. Those close to Frank will never watch a sunset, catch a fish, or look at Mt. Rainier again without knowing he's right there beside us. ...and whether he's running silent and deep, or climbing high, we're all right there with him, too. A memorial service celebrating Frank's life and final ascent will be held on Saturday, October 5, 2002 at 1:00 p.m. in the Garden Chapel at Mountain View (584-0252). Please share your thoughts and memories of Frank and sign the online guest book at www.mountainviewtacoma.comElizabeth, Linda and David extend special thanks to the staff and nurses of Franciscan Hospice for the peace and comfort they brought to Frank in his final weeks. We ask that you make any contributions in Frank's memory to Franciscan Hospice Care Center in Tacoma.
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