Alan Frank

Obituary of Alan Frank

Alan R. Frank, age 85, of Iowa City died suddenly on Friday, October 3, 2025, at his home.

Funeral services will be held at 1pm Friday, October 10, 2025, at Gay & Ciha Funeral and Cremation Service where there will be a time of visitation on Friday beginning at 11am until services. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations can be made in his memory to the Iowa City Animal Shelter or Systems Unlimited of Iowa City.

Alan Raymond Frank was born August 13, 1940, in San Diego, California, the son of Emil and Edwina (Langdon) Frank. The family moved to Lakeside, CA in 1945, and later to Long Beach, where Alan grew up. Following graduation from Robert A. Milliken High School in 1958, he enrolled at Long Beach City College. After two years, he transferred to UCLA where he completed a Bachelor's degree in Psychology, followed by a Master's degree from California State College in Los Angeles in 1965. He married Dorothy "Dottie" Vcelka on July 2, 1966, in Whitestone, NY. The couple moved to Iowa City in August of 1968 so that Alan could pursue a doctorate in Special Education from the University of Iowa. After receiving his PhD in 1970, the couple decided to make Iowa City their home, where Alan joined the faculty of the UI College of Education. Alan retired from the university in 1999.

Alan enjoyed travel, working in his gardens, and the companionship of his cats over the years, including his current cat, Bobcat. He and Dottie raised their three children in Iowa City, and was known as "Grampy" to his grandchildren.

His family includes his wife, Dottie; their children, David Frank (Errin), Erik Frank (Stephanie), and Allison Corlette (Gordon); and his five grandchildren, Ruby, Clara, Mikayla, Everitt and Joe.

Alan was preceded in death by his parents and a brother, Ronald Frank.