Rodney Frank

1958 - 2024

Rodney Frank
March 12, 1958 - December 16, 2024
Lifelong Alaskan, Rodney L. Frank, 66, passed away on December 16, 2024. No services are planned at this time. The family plans for a celebration during the summer months to spread his ashes over Mount McKinley, as was his wish. Rod was born on March 12, 1958 in Anchorage, Alaska to Merle and Dorothy Frank. He graduated from West Anchorage High School in 1976 and married Kathy Wood in September 1978. He began a 40 year career at the Alaska Railroad as a Conductor/Brakeman, from which he retired in 2017. Together, they raised two children, living in Anchorage and moving to Wasilla in 1996. He had a childhood full of the Alaskan experience. The great outdoors was his favorite place to be. As an adult, his passion for hunting big game, snow machining, and flying were his greatest joys. He had a lot of pride in reaching the accomplishments he set out to do. Of his favorite stories to share was the first place finish in the inaugural Iron Dog Classic Snowmachine Race in 1984. He was inducted into the Iron Dog Hall of Fame in 2015. He was a avid fan of the snow machine community and events. He always enjoyed taking his sleds apart so he could rebuild them, making them better and faster. He also enjoyed building and remodeling homes, which he did three times. He loved his Cessna 185, being at his favorite hunting or fishing spot, (which was always a secret) and being at the cabin off the Yentna River. He was a very skilled and proud pilot. In retirement, Rod and Kathy traveled around the United States in a RV for 19 weeks going to special places and visiting family. From the West Coast to Key West, FL and up the East Coast to Mt Rushmore, the experience was a highlight. Rod is survived by his wife, Kathy of 46 years, his parents Merle and Dorothy Frank of Wasilla, and his two children, Justin Frank, of Phoenix, and Krista Armstrong and her husband Ryan, of Wasilla, four grandchildren, Rylynn and Zane of Wasilla, Kysen and Robert of Anchorage, brother Duane Frank of Anchorage, sister Diane Johnson and her husband Jim of Anchorage, as well as several aunts, uncles and cousins and many great friends. The family requests any donations be made to the charity of their choosing. Arrangements were made by Wasilla Heritage Chapel.