Frank J. Guszak Ph.D.

1932 - 2021

Frank J. (Jim) Guszak, PhD
May 9, 1932 - July 9, 2021
Jim Guszak was a loving husband, father, grandfather and teacher. Beyond his love for his family, he was committed to helping children read and write. Combined with God's gifts of good health and great jobs, he never stopped teaching once he started.
Born in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, in 1932, to Leo and Bessie Guszak, he became an avid sailboat racer and varsity track man in the 400 and 800 meter races once they moved to Corpus Christi, TX. At Corpus Christi High, he developed a passion for writing for La Gaviota and received a tennis scholarship and was elected captain of the track team. After graduation, Jim spent two years at Del Mar Junior College before transferring to the University of Texas..
After graduating from UT in 1954, Jim returned to Corpus Christi to teach and coach sixth grade at Ebony Acres (now Gibson Elementary) for four exciting years. This was followed by a Master's degree from UT and a principalship in Corsicana (Fannin Elementary).
When a great offer came from San Angelo ISD, Jim moved to Santa Rita Elementary. While in San Angelo, Jim met and married the love of his life, Diana Biedermann, in 1961. Diana was a fifth grade teacher at Sam Houston Elementary. There, they started their family with first born Garron.
From San Angelo, Jim and Diana moved to the University of Wisconsin in 1963 with Garron. They were blessed with two more beautiful children, Kristen and Mark, and a PhD. After graduation in 1966, they packed up a Uhaul trailer and departed for Albuquerque, New Mexico, for Jim's first academic appointment at the University of New Mexico.
After an enjoyable, but short, stay in New Mexico, the Guszaks chose the opportunity of a lifetime to return to the University of Texas, Jim's alma mater, where they had their fourth child, Ginna. Too soon, in retrospect, the children grew up and gave Jim and Diana five wonderful grandchildren (Cal, Jolie and Gabrielle Francis and Laura and Logan Wimmer).
From the start of college teaching, Jim found the task of teaching children to read in the absence of children was not his calling. He set out to bring the children into the university where his students could teach them twice a week. This produced great achievement and joy for all involved. Their work became recognized and the students became excellent teachers throughout the state and the country. The inputs of a vast number of graduate and undergraduate students produced an individualized reading and writing program that would subsequently produce countless teachers.
After retirement in 2006, Jim continued to work with students in various schools but most notably at the Veritas Academy, Austin Christian Academy and Hamlin ISD. He was loved by children and teachers alike. He also continued his tennis by playing singles in the Texas State Tennis Association age division up to 80.
Jim's parents Bessie and Leo, his sister Marilyn and brother Leo Edward are deceased. He is survived by his beautiful and loving wife, Diana; sons Garron and Mark; daughters Kristen and Ginna, and Ginna's husband Art Hill; grandchildren Cal Francis, Jolie Francis, Gabrielle Francis, Laura Wimmer and Logan Wimmer.
Visitation will be from 4:00 - 7:00 p.m. at the Weed, Corley, Fish funeral home at 2620 South Congress Ave., Austin, TX, on Wednesday, July 14. A rosary will be said at 7:00 p.m. that evening, following the visitation. The funeral mass will be held at St. Paul's Catholic Church at 10000 David Moore Road in Austin, at 10:00 a.m. Thursday, July 15. In lieu of flowers, donations to the Salvation Army would be appreciated.