Robert J. Frank

1949 - 2023

Robert John Frank, 74, of Latrobe, died suddenly and unexpectedly Sunday, Aug. 20, 2023. He was born June 8, 1949, in Philadelphia, to his parents, the late Albert and Helen Frank. Robert, or "Bob," as he was known to most people, earned his Bachelor of Science in mathematics at Ursinus College and his Master of Science in mathematics at Lehigh University. He was "All but Dissertation," having completed all of his coursework for his PhD in mathematics (functional analysis) at Lehigh University. He also earned a Master of Arts in mathematics education at New York University and completed his coursework toward his Doctor of Education at the University of Pittsburgh. One of Bob's first jobs was doing analysis work at the Pentagon. He left this job when he found it boring--or at least not challenging enough--to pursue his passion for teaching. He was assistant professor of mathematics at The King's College in New York, Seton Hill College, Indiana University of Pennsylvania, and Westmoreland County Community College from 2002 until his retirement in 2021. Although there were so many things that Bob could have done with his mathematical aptitude, he couldn't imagine being happy doing anything other than teaching. Bob had a brilliant mind and a passion for mathematics, of course, but he was also a polymath with a deep understanding and impressive knowledge of history, politics and theological studies. He was a committed Christian all his life, and he was continuously seeking to learn and understand more when it came to his faith. Bob always held membership in a church, but beyond that, just some of his service to the church included teaching adult Sunday school, acting as church treasurer, and working hard behind the scenes at Emanuel Baptist Church, where his late wife, Beverly, was pastor. Another great passion of Bob's was music. He sang in many church choirs, and he was a proud member of the Irwin Male Chorus for more than 20 years. He was a fan of a lot of 1960s and '70s pop music, but his greatest love was classical music. His favorite composer, by far, was Anton Bruckner. Bob could often be found sitting, with noise canceling headphones on and eyes closed, listening to music. He owned more than 1,100 CDs. Bob is survived by his daughters, Rebekah Alvino and the Rev. Rachel Frank and their husbands, Rich Alvino and Tom Francis; fiancee, Carolyn Garrett; stepdaughters, Tricia Anthony Ostendorf and Rebecca Anthony Foster and their husbands, the Rev. Steven Ostendorf and Chris Foster; stepgrandchildren, Alyssa, William, Matthew, Addison and Luke; sister, Barbara Glass and her husband, Jim Glass; and several nieces and nephews. In addition to his parents, Bob was predeceased by his wife of 44 years, the Rev. Beverly Bomberger Frank; his second wife, Carolyn Anthony Frank; and his brother, William Frank. Family and friends will be received from 10 to 11 a.m. Saturday, Sept. 2, 2023, at Charter Oak Church, 449 Frye Farm Road, Greensburg, after which Bob's memorial service will begin at 11 a.m. Arrangements are being handled by the LOPATICH-BRINKER FUNERAL HOME LLC, 601 Weldon St., Latrobe. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorial donations be made to CORE (Center for Organ Recovery & Education) or the American Cancer Society. To sign the online guest book, send condolences, or share a story, please visit www.lopatichbrinker.com.