Francis J. "Fran" FRISCH Jr.

Age 73 The world is a little dimmer and the heavens a little more bright as Fran Frisch lost his battle with cancer and made his peaceful transition surrounded by love on August 29th, 2021. Fran, the globally recognized Artist known as FRISCH, created a visual identity in the 1990s for the emerging Bear Subculture in the Gay Community. Born in St. Paul, Fran was proud of his MN roots. Fran graduated from Hill-Murray School in 1966; had a 21 year career at Northstar Steel; was the Cartoonist for the Twin Cities Gaze Publication; and Past President and Lifetime Member of the MN Herpetological Society (MHS) where helped organize the first Midwest Herpetological Symposium. In 1990, Fran moved to San Francisco where his "Beartoons", art and generous spirit helped fuel the rapid growth of the Bear Community and raise money for many charities. His pioneering efforts earned him his "Beartoonist of San Francisco" reputation. In 2007, Fran retired to Palm Springs and continued to support and donate his artwork to local charities. Fran is survived by his mother, Mary Jane Nord; brother, Phil Frisch; niece, Angie (Jay) Matuzak; nephew, Tony (Abby) Frisch; aunt, Josephine Christensen (Ron Thunhorst); aunt, Joan Marchio; aunt, Maureen Marchio; Cathy & Lee Gilchrist; Ashley, Chad, Chloe and Ceci Hart; JL; Coco, Sha Sha, Fuji and Torii; as well as many more family, friends and loved ones. Fran Frisch: Artist / Leader / Icon / Pioneer / Amazing Human Being. You will be cherished forever. A Celebration of Life will be held in St. Paul for Family and Friends on Sunday, November 14. Donations in honor of Fran to preserve his Art and Legacy can be made to the GLBT Historical Society by visiting: https://www.glbthistory. org/fran-frisch-memorial. The Society hosted an exhibition in 2017 that highlighted Fran's work and showed his profound influence on the emergence of the Bear Community. The Exhibit is expected to launch online as a virtual exhibit in 2022.