KENNETH FRANCIS FRANKE

FRANKE, KENNETH FRANCIS March 13, 1936 to Dec. 17, 2010 Kenneth F. Franke was born on March 13, 1936 and was the only child of Radford and Marie Franke. He passed away peacefully the morning of December 17, 2010, after a brief illness. He was a beloved husband and father to his family and a mentor to many others. Ken's parents were the Coast Guard lighthouse keepers at Ballast Point Lighthouse, San Diego. Ken spent his first 18 years calling the lighthouse home. With San Diego Bay and the Pacific Ocean as his playground, he had the most exciting time growing up. As a teen-ager he would frequently be asked by the Coast Guard Cutter crew at Ballast Point to fill in for missing members of the 83-foot rescue boat. They never had to ask twice. They would then go search the ocean for downed pilots from North Island Naval Air Station or for mariners in distress. Ken attended Saint Augustine High School. His favorite sports were running track and sailing. It was during these years that he met his sweetheart who he later married. Her name was LaVerne Heim. She lived on a chicken ranch in Lemon Grove. After being raised on lobster, abalone and fish, dating a girl with an unlimited supply of his favorite food (chicken) was a great find! He graduated in 1954 from Saints. At this point he was an accomplished Coast Guard trained crewman. After high school, Ken was accepted into the California Maritime Academy. He also joined the U.S. Coast Guard Reserve to begin his formal career. These were exciting times as he cruised the world on the Training Ship "Golden Bear." He graduated in 1957 with a marine engineering degree and joined his second love the Coast Guard. His first love, LaVerne, became his wife on March 11, 1958. So began an incredible journey throughout the world for Ken, LaVerne, and later their children, Kenny, Anne-marie, Randy, and Karen. They lived in North Carolina, Louisiana, Maine, Michigan, New York, California, and Guam. While the family was at home, Ken would often be at sea. He spent time in the North Atlantic aboard the Cutters "Mendota" and "Humbolt" and deep in the polar ice pack on the ice breaker "Glacier." He had many harrowing experiences while at sea. However, the most interesting rescue was above the Niagara Falls. It was late at night and a boat with a family had broken down and drifted into the rapids above the falls. He navigated the Franke family boat down river to the rapids, anchoring it as far into the white water as he dared. He tied a rope from the boat onto himself. Ken then in darkness waded in chest deep water through the rapids to the family in trouble. He brought them one at a time back to his boat and took them to safety. After a 27 year career in the Coast Guard, Captain Ken Franke retired. He became a Marine Surveyor and was Director of the San Diego Maritime Museum for several years working on the restoration of the Star of India and the Berkley. He then began another Coast Guard related career that lasted over two decades training the new USCG inspectors on marine safety inspections. He trained several thousand inspectors during those years and left an incredible legacy. Ken was a strong leader, humble public servant and had a strong faith in God. He was be deeply missed by all, especially his five grandchildren. There will be a Rosary at 7:30 p.m., on Monday, December 20th, at St. Theresa of Carmel Parish, 4355 Del Mar Trails Road, San Diego, CA 92130. The services and celebration of Ken's life will be the following morning at 10:00 a.m., Tuesday, December 21st, at the same location. In lieu of flowers, the family would appreciate memorial contributions be sent to the Propagation of the Faith, P.O. Box 82386, San Diego, CA 92138.