DANE, III, Francis S “Frank”. In announcing the news of our Dad’s passing, we want to do what we know he would have done: appreciate his life. We are so grateful that we were with Dad when he passed away on Monday, December 12th, 2016, after suffering from Dementia.
On October 24, 1940, Francis Smith Dane III was born in Pasadena, California. Frank would say that he “chose” his parents, Francis S “Duke” Dane Jr. and Edith Thacher Dane. Frank grew up in the Pasadena area and made numerous, lasting friends at Pasadena High School, Pasadena City College, and the University of California Santa Barbara. It wasn’t an accident that Frank chose to join the Peace Corps in his 20’s, where he spent a year volunteering in Nigeria. There he found joy and purpose in helping people, especially children. He spent over 30 years as a teacher, including several years at Pacific Ackworth Friends School in Temple City, CA and Evergreen Elementary school in Rohnert Park.
In the 1980’s Frank found another way to help people, he designed and implemented his own self-esteem workshop, which he called “Pouvant”. Frank appreciated every minute he spent leading Pouvant workshops for children and adults in Southern California and Sonoma County, and mentoring others to lead the workshops themselves. Frank then brought his passion back into the classroom, teaching at Laguna High School in Sebastopol. Even after his mind started to fail him, Frank continued helping his fellow residents at Brush Creek Senior Living in Santa Rosa. He referred to this informal therapy as “working with the kids”.
Frank had two great passions outside of his work, tennis and enjoying the great outdoors. He loved tennis, camping and kayaking and was thankful that he lived in an area where he could regularly explore places like Armstrong Woods, the Russian River and Yosemite.
We are grateful that Frank got to share love and companionship with ex-wives Renée Conrad and Diana Gilliam and long-time girlfriend Donna Chinlund. How proud Frank was to leave a legacy of surviving family behind: son Kyle Dane, daughter Subé Robertson, brother Bill Dane, sister Nancy Peña, granddaughters Aliveah Robertson, Moorea Robertson, Annabel Dane and Lucy Dane and numerous nieces, nephews, cousins and in-laws. All of these things and more will be celebrated in an event to remember in the Spring of 2017. The family would love to hear from you at FriendsofFrankDane@gmail.com if you want to attend the event or send your condolences. Wouldn’t it be wonderful if donations in Frank’s name could help find a cure for Dementia and Alzheimers Disease? Contact Lafferty & Smith Mortuary in Santa Rosa for details. Thank you all for being part of Dad’s life!
