Francis Marion Castle

After a childhood in Sumner spent picking berries, enjoying family outings, and starring at high school basketball, Frank was off to Northwest Christian College in Eugene, OR, where he earned a Bachelor of Theology degree. Ordained by his home church, he served as a youth minister in two Disciples of Christ churches until a looming military draft encouraged him to join the U.S. Air Force. During his 22 year career, he was a Chinese linguist, computerized intelligence officer and missile launch officer; he retired with the rank of Lieutenant Colonel as the base executive officer at Vandenberg Air Force Base California in 1982. Frank and Val then moved to Montana where Frank worked in the investment business for fifteen years; he was also involved in numerous volunteer activities, including starting small group Bible studies and supply preaching in Methodist churches around central Montana.

After retiring in 1999, we traveled for seven years in a motorhome, and spent four winters in Goodyear, when we were first involved at New Song. In 2005, we moved to Silverton OR, a small town where Frank volunteered one day a week in a third grade classroom, drove the hospital care van giving people rides to medical appointments, and made regular pastoral visits for shut-ins; he even had time to volunteer once a week at a local winery. After eight years there, we moved to Portland and Frank continued to volunteer in a classroom, was a member of the "shovel-and-rake" team at First Methodist Church and visited people connected to a homeless shelter - for many of them, he was the only person they saw every week. But then, since we were getting "old and rickety", we returned to Arizona in 2022 to be closer to family.

One of our goals when we married was to travel. Goal completed: Frank has been in every state, six continents, and 82 countries. One hundred eleven national parks, monuments and historic sites - yes. Faroe Islands and Falkland Islands - yes. Greenland, Cape Horn, the Cape of Good Hope - yes.

In all, a life of ninety one years well-lived, with much service to others, wonderful adventures, and friends around the world.

Frank married Joanne Shepherd, his high school sweetheart, in 1956 and is survived by their two children, Lori Cruz and Bill Castle. He is also survived by his wife Val of 46 years, stepdaughter Cyndi Haupt, seven grandchildren and twelve great grandchildren.

Memorials to New Song Methodist Church or to the Castle Family Scholarship Fund at our alma mater are suggested. Northwest Christian College became Bushnell University and besides continuing to prepare young people for Christian ministry, they purposefully educate students to be ethical, caring human beings wherever life takes them (as it has for Frank and Val). Many students are the first from their family to go to college and financial help is crucial. Earmarked checks can be sent to Bushnell University, 828 E 11th Avenue, Eugene OR 97401