Frank Henry Spink Jr.

1935 - 2025

September 23, 1935 – April 11, 2025
Frank passed away peacefully from complications of myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS) at the age of 89 with his daughters, grandchildren, and longtime friends with him in his final days.
Frank was born and raised in Chicago, Illinois. He received a Bachelor of Architecture from the University of Illinois in 1959 and a Master of Urban and Regional Planning from the University of Washington in 1963. He served in the U.S. Navy as an Officer in Charge of Construction at the U.S. Naval Weapons Facility in Concord, California. As a professional urban planner, he held positions in Bellevue, Washington, Fremont, California, and Planning Director in Pleasonton, California. In 1967, Frank began working at the ULI-Urban Land Institute in Washington, DC, where he held various positions until he retired in 1997 as Vice President and Publisher. He then served two years as the President of Lambda Alpha International Land Economics Society. In 1998, Frank formed Spink Consultancy providing professional services in planning and development.
Frank was a professional artist from his mid-twenties. While living in California, his paintings were shown all over Northern California including San Francisco's de Young Museum, the Dedication Festival art show at the restored Palace of Fine Arts, and the Jack London Square Festival. In Northern Virginia, he was a member and president of the Potomac Valley Watercolorists, a member of the Virginia Watercolor Society, and a member and treasurer of the national Sumi-e Society of America. He won top awards from both the Virginia Watercolor Society and the Sumi-e Society. Frank has been listed in Who's Who in American Art since 1976. His paintings are in several corporate collections and in numerous private collections across the country and in Canada and Europe. In 1998, he expanded his art and design background to wheel throw and handbuild pottery as art.
Frank met his wife, Barbara, on a blind date. They were married in California on June 30, 1962. Frank and Barbara had their two daughters, Christina Jean in 1967, and Suzan Josette in 1970. Frank and Barbara were married for 49 years until Barbara's passing in 2011.
Frank also had a number of other talents and interests. His daughters proudly referred to him as a Renaissance Man. He could make and sew his own ties and sew intricate clothing alterations, he was an excellent cook and could cook full authentic Chinese meals or an Indian curry, he could fix anything around the house, and he was an elegant snow skier and went skiing with friends well into his 80's. Frank was very active in St. Barnabas' Episcopal Church. He designed the stained glass windows that adorn the main sanctuary and a new entry door of the church, served on the Vestry, organized many trips to Canaan Valley where he helped the youth group learn to ski, went on two missions to Honduras, and for years was a co-leader for National Rebuilding Day where he helped repair homes of people in need on the last Saturday in April.
Frank lived a full and wonderful life with his beloved wife Barbara and daughters in Annandale, Virginia for 51 years. He moved to Goodwin House Retirement Community in Falls Church, Virginia, in 2018 where he continued to live joyfully and well until his passing.
Frank is survived by his daughters' families, Christina and Keith Yehle and their grown children Brooke and Heather; and Suzan and Eric Yungner and their grown children, Asher and Grant. Frank's beloved cat, Pete, who has found a new home with a new human and three Persian cats, will miss him.
Frank's funeral and burial and the celebration of his life will take place at St. Barnabas' Episcopal Church, 4801 Ravensworth Road, Annandale, Virginia on Saturday, May 31, at 11 a.m. In lieu of flowers, please make contributions to the St. Barnabas' Church Memorial Fund or to ACCA: Annandale Christian Community for Action, www.accacares.org.