Search by Name

Search by Name

FRANK WANLASS Obituary

Dr. Frank Marion Wanlas 5/17/1933 ~ 9/9/2010 I LUV CMOS Dr. Frank Marion Wanlass died peacefully in his home in Santa Clara, CA the afternoon of September 9, 2010 from the complications of diabetes. He was under the care of Heartland Hospice, and his devoted brother David Wanlass. He was born in Thatcher, Arizona, the son of Frank Evans and Josephine Robinson Wanlass. He spent his childhood years in Nephi, UT, Pleasant Grove, UT, and Mesa, AZ, finally moving to Ogden, UT at age 11 where he graduated from Ogden High School and started his higher education at Weber University. He served his country in Army intelligence during the Korean War from 1953-55. He later went on to the University of Utah in Salt Lake City where he earned his PhD in physics in 1962 with Dr. Henry Eyring as his mentor and major professor. He married Carolyn Clark in 1957, and they had four children: W. Tane Wanlass (Valerie), W. Bryn Wanlass (Kim), Justine W. Turcotte (Stephen), and Bonnie W. Gonzales (Bryan). He has 14 grandchildren. Frank and Carolyn divorced in 1970, and he moved to California and later married Narci Fisher. They were divorced in 1981. He had a special friend Barbara Ramirez from 1989 until her death from cancer in 2001. He lived and worked in the Cupertino/Sunnyvale/Santa Clara, CA area from 1970 onwards. He very much enjoyed his associates, and the climate in California. In the early 1960's, while still at the University of Utah, he had a "quantum leap" to formulate the idea of CMOS (complementary metal oxide semiconductor), the technology employed in most modern microchips. After his graduation he perfected this idea while working for Fairchild Semiconductor. He was awarded patent 3,356,858 in 1967 for his invention. At the time, CMOS drew six orders of magnitude less power than the day's state of the art circuits. Their low power consumption makes CMOS circuits particularly well suited for battery powered devices. One of the first applications Wanlass worked on was the digital watch. CMOS chips found wide application in many devices in the 1970's, and are now part of nearly every electronic device. Wanlass left Fairchild in 1964, and since then involved himself in several start up companies, as well as working independently. He was awarded the IEEE Solid-State Circuit Award in 1991 for his invention, and was inducted into the Inventor Hall of Fame in 2009. These awards meant a lot to him. His mind was active and sharp to the end of his life. Wanlass was preceded in death by his parents, and a sister Joyce. He is survived by his brothers John, David, William, and Mark, and their families, as well as by all of his children and grandchildren. Services will be held in Utah on Saturday, September 18 as follows: viewing at Aspen Funeral Services from 11:00 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., 3287 W. Parkway Blvd. (2640 S.), West Valley City; graveside service at 2:00 p.m. at the Provo City Cemetery, 610 S. State Street, Provo. I LUV CMOS was on Frank's personalized California license plate.

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

Published by Deseret News on Sep. 16, 2010.

Memories and Condolences
for FRANK WANLASS

Not sure what to say?





October 26, 2010

By chance, I came across this obituary online. What an irony that my Uncle Frank, the man greatly responsible for the internet as we know it today, died before I had a chance to get to know him, and that I would learn about his passing via the internet. I would appreciate contact from any of the Wanlass family. My mother was Joyce Wanlass. I am so sad that I never had an opportunity to become acquainted with my Uncle Frank. May he rest in peace.
~Debra Potter
360-209-9018
[email protected]

AVIS ERKEL

September 30, 2010

Dear Sweet fun Frank...my mind was flooded with beautiful memories of you and Bert and Roger and me when I read of your passing. We were like 4 kids in a sandbox when we got together. Yes, you were one of the most brilliant minds I have ever met, yet you had a delightful playful spirit about you. To me you were just a great big teddy bear in a human body. Thank you for being a part of my life and leaving your footprint on my heart. I will always treasure my rememberances of you. Say hi to Roger.....Goodbye beautiful friend....Avis

Ron Mathews

September 23, 2010

I worked as Purchasing Manager for Frank at LSI Systems on Bordeaux Dr. in Sunnyvale in 1976 making CMOS watch chips. He was always a gentleman and a genuine nice person. I was saddened to see his obit. RIP Frank.....

September 21, 2010

David. My brothers and my sister and I grew up almost directly across from you and your family on 27th Street in Ogden. Although Frank was 10 years older than me, I remember him. However, I did not know anything about his academic and professional achievements and his great contributions to the computer and electronic industries. I appreciate you and your family including that information in his obituary. I extend to you and your family, and Frank's family, my deepest sympathy. Sincerely, Brent Clark / Farmington, Utah

Val Johnson

September 19, 2010

David, I am sorry to hear of your brother's death. I remember times in your basement in Ogden when you and I tried to invent electronic stuff. I hope you and your family are well. Sincerely, Val Johnson (Ogden)

Ed Lyman

September 16, 2010

Seeing this obituary has reminded me how long it has been since I have had contact with the Wanlass family. My best to all of you especially at this time. Love to all, Eddie, your Aunt Maurine's little boy.

Nancy Mascarenas

September 16, 2010

Kim & Bryn - Sorry to hear about the loss of your father(in-law). Our thoughts & prayers are with you and your family at this hard time.

Cherish all the wonderful memories, and keep his memory alive as you continue to share stories with your family.

Love,

Nancy & Harold Mascareans

Showing 1 - 7 of 7 results

Make a Donation
in FRANK WANLASS's name

Memorial Events
for FRANK WANLASS

To offer your sympathy during this difficult time, you can now have memorial trees planted in a National Forest in memory of your loved one.

How to support FRANK's loved ones
Honor a beloved veteran with a special tribute of ‘Taps’ at the National WWI Memorial in Washington, D.C.

The nightly ceremony in Washington, D.C. will be dedicated in honor of your loved one on the day of your choosing.

Read more
Attending a Funeral: What to Know

You have funeral questions, we have answers.

Read more
Should I Send Sympathy Flowers?

What kind of arrangement is appropriate, where should you send it, and when should you send an alternative?

Read more
What Should I Write in a Sympathy Card?

We'll help you find the right words to comfort your family member or loved one during this difficult time.

Read more
Resources to help you cope with loss
Estate Settlement Guide

If you’re in charge of handling the affairs for a recently deceased loved one, this guide offers a helpful checklist.

Read more
How to Write an Obituary

Need help writing an obituary? Here's a step-by-step guide...

Read more
Obituaries, grief & privacy: Legacy’s news editor on NPR podcast

Legacy's Linnea Crowther discusses how families talk about causes of death in the obituaries they write.

Read more
The Five Stages of Grief

They're not a map to follow, but simply a description of what people commonly feel.

Read more
Ways to honor FRANK WANLASS's life and legacy
Obituary Examples

You may find these well-written obituary examples helpful as you write about your own family.

Read more
How to Write an Obituary

Need help writing an obituary? Here's a step-by-step guide...

Read more
Obituary Templates – Customizable Examples and Samples

These free blank templates make writing an obituary faster and easier.

Read more
How Do I Write a Eulogy?

Some basic help and starters when you have to write a tribute to someone you love.

Read more