John Frank Terstegge

1937 - 2021

JOHN FRANK TERSTEGGE John Frank Terstegge passed away after a long battle with Dementia and Parkinson's disease . He was born on November 4th 1937 in Upland, California to John Frank and Ena Rose Terstegge. Part of Frank's youth was spent in Osaka, Japan where his Father was a Lieutenant Colonel for the U. S. Army and where his family lived following WWII. After serving in the army reserve and U.S. coast guard, and working as a commercial fisherman, Frank completed his education at Cal Poly, earning a Bachelor's in History. He received his Masters in Special Education from San Francisco State University in 1968. Frank spent 18 years as a teacher and principal at Loma Vista School. He Became the SELPA director for Butte County Office of Education in 1986. He served the students and teachers throughout the seventeen school districts in Butte County. He was particularly proud of the programs he developed in partnership with reading specialists, and a joint program with Butte County Mental health, which received statewide recognition. In addition to teaching, Frank was a licensed contractor. Frank was known for his kindness, leadership, and a really dry sense of humor. Frank enjoyed traveling to Europe and being with family. He especially loved skiing with his family and his buddies Rick and Don. He loved fishing and hunting in his early years and later developed a passion for horses. He became an accomplished rider and competed in local Dressage competitions. He was known as a dog lover throughout his life and had an assortment of breeds. In his retirement years, he was very fond of the Jack Russell breed and loved his dogs Sam and Lucy. Frank is Survived by, Penny, his wife of 57 years, his daughters, Heather, Lily (Joe), and Elizabeth (Jeff), his five grandchildren, Olivia, Ramona, Annabelle, Bryan and Brennan. Frank is also survived by his brother Jim Terstegge (Mary) and their four sons, Keith, Jon, Patrick and Andrew. In Lieu of flowers, donations can be made to UC Davis Parkinson's Disease & Movement Disorders Research Fund.