His mother Silvia and father Aaron annually moved their children Albert, Esther, Dorothy, Frank and Robert (Bob) from town where they rented various homes during the school year and then out to the country, to live on a farm during the summer recess. Frank grew up with an appreciation for farm fresh produce and a firm grounding in the work ethic needed to live in the rural environment. The family also enjoyed the presence of their horses, cows, chickens and pigs, as well as various pets – including dogs and cats, of course, but also tame skunks in their house and a squirrel that lived in their mother’s clothes pin bag in the kitchen.
In 1929 he began attending Craig School, then Consolidated School and Belleview School and graduated from Craig High School in 1941. Frank maintained close ties to his childhood community all his life, and in his later years made an annual pilgrimage to Craig for high school reunions and to visit with classmates, teachers, relatives and friends.
In 1943, Frank rode out to California with his brother-in-law’s parents, and lived with an uncle and aunt in Los Angeles for a year. Looking for work during the war years, he came to the San Diego area and worked at Solar Aircraft. He also worked in an auto body shop. Next, employed – uncharacteristically – as a teller in a bank, he met Anna Lee Rogers.
Frank and Ann married on December 22, 1945 and had two children – Stephen and Jill. They purchased property to live on in National City’s Lincoln Acres area, which began his long-time business of purchasing property and improving or building on it, and renting.
In 1959 he and Ann bought a lot on Manchester St. in National City. Over the next year, with the help of his nephew, B Helfers, he built a new home for his family. They moved in on July 1, 1960. He and Ann lived there the rest of their lives.
During school vacations, the family took trips through Arizona, and the Sierra Nevada Mountains, becoming particularly fond of Mineral King, camping there in the summers for over 50 years.
When Frank’s brother Bob became interested in the fishing and hotel business in Baja California, Frank purchased a small airplane, and took his wife and kids and lots of supplies and equipment down regularly to help build Hotel Punta Colorada. Building the place was a family effort with Frank, Bob and sister Esther united in partnership.
Frank and Ann traveled to many places, including Australia, Asia, Europe, and the Middle East. He loved to barbeque fish, steak, hamburgers and ribs. They had a vacation home in La Quinta, California for several years.
Frank’s hobbies included an interest in old farm machinery, Model T Fords (he owned 2), camping and fishing, historical reenacting at the blacksmith shop in Old Town San Diego, and local Mountain Man Rendezvous events. He participated in family events including the school and professional functions of his 6 grandchildren.
Frank was predeceased by his wife Ann in 2008. He is survived by his son Stephen R. Van Wormer (wife Susan D. Walter), and their children Rachael and Aaron Van Wormer, his daughter, Jill L. Van Wormer and her children: Peggy Loftis (Rodney), Angela Venable (Curtis), Alec Carper (Diane) and Brian Carper, his sisters: Esther Helfers and Dorothy Lovelady, as well as many great-grandchildren, nieces, nephews, in-laws, and friends.
Frank died on December 26, 2016, and will be buried next to Ann in Glen Abbey Memorial Park, in Bonita, on January 5, 2017. Visitation will be from 11:00-12:00 with the service immediately following from 12:00-1:00. After the service a lunch will be served on the grounds.
In lieu of flowers, the family is requesting donations to the Sierra Club.
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