Frank R Wong

Frank Roy Wong, 69, passed away unexpectedly on August 14, 2023, after a sudden illness. Frank was born on January 23, 1954, to Gan Hong Wong and Gim How Mah. Frank’s parents immigrated from China, making him first-generation Chinese, born and raised in Des Moines.

He attended Moulton Elementary, Irving Junior High, and North High School. Frank also attended Iowa State University, earning his bachelor’s and master’s degrees. His career of 35+ years was teaching 7th-grade math at Stilwell Junior High School in West Des Moines. From his sport of wrestling in high school, he enjoyed coaching wrestling for many years at Stilwell. You would see him at the State Wrestling Tournament every year at Vet’s Auditorium, often near the mats taking photos. In addition, you would see Frank on the sidelines taking photos of his nephew, Victor Wong, playing football for DM Roosevelt, rugby for Iowa Central, or most recently, the WDM Wombats. If he chose to pursue a second career, it would probably have been professional photography. In addition to his love for wrestling and photography, he was a die-hard Packers fan, as well as a Trekkie (having a variety of Star Trek visuals in his classroom).

Ironically, he was very much into fitness, where you would see him walking throughout his neighborhood in Windsor Heights for exercise daily (even in the wintertime!), as well as lifting weights four-to-five days a week.

The most prominent or memorable aspects of Frank’s life were his kindness, generosity, and passion for making things fun! He was nicknamed “Mister Stilwell” because he brought a sense of family within the staff and student body. He was always taking pictures of the kids and the many school activities. He became renowned at school for putting together his “slide shows” that he shared with all the students toward the end of the school year. Because he would attend the chorus and band concerts, school plays, school dances, all the different sporting events, as well as various classroom activities, like science labs or kids cooking in FCS to take pictures; that’s why all the kids were so excited to SEE themselves up on the screen during his slide shows. He often spent hours and hours putting these together and coordinating music to go with the photos. Surely a fond memory for many former Stilwell students.

He was preceded in death by his father (1970), his sister, Mary Ann Wong (1991), his mother (2000), and his sister, Eleanor Mey Wong (2014). He is survived by two sisters, Linda Wong, of Des Moines, and Sue Wong-Parbeau, of Port St. Lucie, Florida; three brothers, Ed (Kris) Wong of Des Moines, Bill Wong, of Elk Grove, California, and Jim Wong, of Adrian, Michigan. He is also survived by several nieces and nephews, in Des Moines, California, Florida, Texas, as well as Korea (US military base)!

No public services are planned. A private family burial service will be held at a later date.

Finally, Frank was always “lifting” people up. He would place a funny card in a colleague’s mailbox, put some chocolate or treat on a teacher’s desk, and a myriad of random acts of kindness. In lieu of any memorial contributions, and in honor of Frank’s legacy – you are all encouraged to do that very thing! Send a family member or friend, out of the blue, a card with some cash or a gift card to a restaurant or store, just to wish them a great day! We see this as spreading the love that we all have for Frank. If Frank lifted you up in some way, pay it forward and lift someone up that you know and love.