David Harris Frank

1942 - 2024

DAVID HARRIS FRANK, Lt Col, USAF Ret

David H. Frank, a longtime resident of Colorado Springs, passed away on Sunday, March 31, 2024. David was born April 21, 1942, to Lillian Richman Frank and Paul Frank in Mt. Vernon, NY. He attended Florida State University, where he graduated in 1964 and received his commission in the Air Force. He became an Intelligence Officer after graduation from Signal Intelligence Officer's School at Goodfellow AFB, TX. While stationed at Little Rock AFB, AR, Dave met the love of his life, Linda Hill. He was overwhelmed when he first saw her in an elevator when she and her roommates moved into the same apartment building. He quickly offered to help them move in, and from that moment on, their story began. They were married on September 6, 1969, in Nashville, AR. She is the daughter of the late Linna Mae (Grimes) Hill and John W. Hill. He is a graduate of the Junior Officer Cryptologic Career Program at the National Security Agency (NSA). He received a master's degree in Economics from the University of Utah in 1976 while stationed at the NSA Office at HQ USEUCOM, Stuttgart, Germany. As the Operations Officer of the 694th Security Squadron at Offutt AFB, he flew on RC-135 Rivet Joint, Combat Sent, and the reconnaissance version of the C-130 aircraft. After being stationed at many locations worldwide, he was transferred to Colorado Springs as the Electronic Security Command Representative (now 16th Air Force (Cyber) to NORAD, U.S. Space Command, and Air Force Space Command. He helped establish the first U.S. Space Command and was instrumental as a space expert in re-establishing the present U.S. Space Command.

He retired from the Air Force in 1985 and spent the next 25 years working on national defense issues as a contractor. He specialized in Space Intelligence and Space and Control, working with federal intelligence agencies to put on the Schriever War games. His work with national intelligence agencies helped form National Intelligence Estimates. Besides his wife, he leaves behind two sons, Michael and Jonathan. His brothers, Kenneth Frank and George Frank, preceded him in death.

Dave loved travel. He and Linda traveled the world after he retired. He enjoyed hiking, skiing, snowshoeing, reading historical books, and astronomy. He was active in the First United Methodist Church and his Kerygma Sunday School class. Dave was a loving father and husband, loved by all who knew him, and he will be greatly missed.

Service will be at the Shrine of Remembrance on April 11, 2024, at 2:00 PM. A reception will be held following the service at Patty Jewett Clubhouse. At a later date, there will be a graveside service at the Pikes Peak National Cemetery.

Memorials in his name may be made to: The Greenberg Center for Learning and Tolerance, and the Historic Preservation Alliance of Colorado Springs, CO.