Birth date: Sep 8, 1934 Death date: Feb 5, 2014
Dr. Frank Edward Butts Leddusire, Ph.D. Frank was a Professor of Linguistics, Russian Language and Literature for 35 Years at Seattle Pacific University. His dynamic life bridged from language, literature and history to theology, Read Obituary
Iam so sorry I was not able to make it to Uncle Franks funeral. God bless you all Frank, Ron, Judy and Cindy. Love Janet Bowers
I learned just today, with great sadness, of Dr. Frank Leddusire's passing on February 5, 2014. He was an enormous influence on me. My first quarter at SPU I took International Communications with Dr. Frank and got hooked on the Russian language.
Over the next 5 years I had a class with him nearly every quarter, including European Quarter in the USSR/Eastern Europe in 1988, which he generously led with support from Doug Durasoff.
What stood out about Dr. Frank, beyond his amazing intellect, was his passion. Any SPU student who missed taking a class with him shortchanged themselves mightily.
Thanks largely to Dr. Frank's wonderful teaching and mentoring, I had a long and rewarding career in Russia. I only regret now that I did not adequately thank him for all that he did for me as a student and as a person.
God bless you Frank Frankovich!
Miles Stump
SPU '89
I first met Dr. Frank prior to going to Seattle Pacific College, when he visited family members who attended our church, Tacoma First Free Methodist church. While I was a student at SPC, I was lucky enough to have Frank as a theology professor, study of Isaiah professor, and personal friend. I treasure my memories of times spent in class, and in personal one-on-one meetings.
I'll never forget his passion and knowledge as he opened up the book of Isaiah to us in a fresh way. After more than 40 years I can still hear his voice, "Look at all the places where the word 'mountain" is used. What's the significance of mountains in Isaiah?" His was one of those classes where I discovered that education was not about remembering facts, but learning to observe and think. What a treasure that he, among others, planted in my life back then that still grows and blossoms today.
Norm Johnson
Seattle Pacific, Class of 1974
If you read my earlier post carefully, you will note that I said at one point: "I am so knowledgeable." Obviously, I prove that I am not. Please read as I intended it: FRANK was so knowledgeable!
Mike Macdonald
Frank joined the SPU faculty in 1962. I joined in 1967. Frank was a superb colleague, leader, friend. We had many conversations about a then relatively new idea: a European Studies program. Under Frank's leadership, it came to fruition, with Frank the first director, and Frank the first leader of the subsequent European Quarter. I also remember auditing a religion class taught by Frank. I was so knowledgeable! What a wonderful colleague he was.
I am going to note below first a comment from Dr. Robert Baah, Spanish professor, writing to current SPU colleagues, and then my note to all 100 or so emeriti colleagues (Frank was granted emeritus status by Seattle Pacific University upon his retirement from full-time teaching in 1997).
“A great mind, humble scholar, hospitable to all, especially outsiders, and a fine person. Will be sorely missed.
Que descanse en paz!” Dr. Robert Baah, professor of Spanish
Esteemed emeriti,
From the obituary of today’s Seattle Times I note the passing of emeritus professor Dr. Frank E. Leddusire, an SPU graduate and subsequent SPU faculty member from 1962-1966, and 1969-1997. Frank taught Linguistics, Russian, and Religion. He could make connections between theology and languages (he knew Russian well, and also had a strong working relationship with German, French, Spanish, and Chinese) and literatures as well as anyone I have met. Moreover, he was SPU’s first advocate and founding director of the European Studies program (late 70s) and first director of the European Quarter (1981). …
With great sadness,
Mike Macdonald, emeritus professor of European Studies, German, and Philosophy
PS At least 4 SPU faculty were planning to attend the memorial at Mountain View until we woke up this morning to snow and a somewhat dicey forecast about weather in Tacoma and south. Our hearts are with the family, and especially (for me) Cindy and Frank, whom I know.
I was thinking of Dr. Leddusire the other day, with the arrival of the Winter Olympics in Russia. He introduced me to the Desert Fathers, Turgenev and Eastern Orthodoxy. He made the "Last Temptation of Christ" come alive as we read it in class. But what I am most grateful for is that he showed up for my presentation at my senior European Studies Symposium. My Spanish professors were not there, but Dr. Leddusire was! His encouraging presence helped immensely as a I shared a paper that had neither been easy to write nor easy to share aloud. He helped expand my world view and my love of literature. I am deeply grateful to have been his student.
--Rev. Amy Hitchens, chaplain
