Frank P. Narusch

Oct 23, 1942 -

Apr 26, 2021

Frank P. Narusch, 78, died on April 26, 2021, at his home in Anchorage, Alaska. Frank was born on Oct. 23, 1942, in Scranton, Pa., to Frank and Valeria Narusch.

Frank was raised in Scranton until the family moved to Suntrana, Alaska, in 1952, where his father worked at the Healy River Coal Corp. owned by Austin "Cap" Lathrop. As a child, Frank loved the mining camp atmosphere and roaming Mt. Dora and the headwaters of the Healy River was where he first fell in love with Alaska. He spent many days hiking the hills hunting for small game and later Dall sheep and moose with his father and family friends until 1961, when the mine closed.

Since there was no high school in or near Suntrana, Frank had to board away at Monroe High in Fairbanks and Copper Valley School near Glennallen, where he graduated in 1960 as valedictorian of his small class of seven. While attending CVS, Frank lived with classmates from all over Alaska, volunteer teachers and workers, and the Jesuit and Sisters of Saint Ann staff. Frank maintained these close relationships throughout his life and through yearly reunions each fall at the school site.

Frank attended Seattle University and worked summers in Alaska for the Alaska Department of Highways in Fairbanks and Valdez districts in survey parties and inspection duties on highway construction projects. After graduating with a civil engineering degree in 1966, he started his career with the Alaska Department of Highways in Anchorage doing highway construction inspection and as project engineer on projects in Wasilla, Talkeetna, Bethel, Hooper Bay, Kenai and Anchorage until 1979. He then had assignments as Regional Materials Engineer, Construction Claims Engineer and Professional Services Engineer until his retirement in 1997.

While working Frank enjoyed representing fellow employees' employment interests through his work with the Alaska Public Employees Association, working with the other members and staff from around the state. After he retired, Frank was instrumental in forming the Retired Public Employees of Alaska. When RPEA was up and running well, Frank went back to work consulting and then with Tryck Nyman Hayes Inc. in 2000, where he worked as project engineer and project manager for construction administration contracts with the Alaska DOT&PF.

Frank enjoyed fishing and hunting in Alaska with friends, camping out in his travel trailer with his beloved canine friend "Ringo" while on projects out of Anchorage, and traveling to visit family and friends and to vacation in warm beachside communities in Mexico.

Frank loved the summers in Alaska traveling and camping around the state, good food, and cooking of all kinds, a good ball game on tv and Saturday morning breakfasts with his retiree friends. Frank became a very active member of Alcoholics Anonymous leading a local meeting and seeking out meetings everywhere he traveled the past four years.

Frank had a good heart and good character. He was loved by many, will be mourned by many and will be remembered by many, but most importantly now, he is in the arms of Jesus, his Lord and Savior.

Frank is preceded in death by father, Frank J. Narusch; and mother, Valeria E. Narusch. He is survived by his daughter and son-in-law, Leanne and Charles of Salem, Ore., and their children, James Cory, Jeffrey, Joseph, Nathan and Charles Patrick; daughter and son-in-law, Kimberly and Ron of Lake Forest Park, Wash., and their children, Tyne, Wyatt, Teal, Feinn, Dakota, Ember, Indy and Beck; son, Jason and dog, "Kyla" of Anchorage; sister, Anna and husband, Chuck of Factoryville, Pa.; sister, Mary Ann of Auburndale, Fla.; six nieces and nephews; and eight great-grandchildren.

Due to COVID-19, an informal Celebration of Frank's Life will be held on Saturday, May 8, 2021, at Mount Vernon Commons Clubhouse, 3322 Commons Circle in Anchorage, from 2 p.m. to 6 p.m. Frank wished his friends would share photos and stories. Frank will be buried at the Cathedral Catholic Cemetery in Scranton, with a graveside service next to his mother as per his wishes at a later date.

In lieu of flowers, Frank wished donations be made to the Alaska ASPCA.