Frank Franta, 63

June 26, 1947 - Feb. 9, 2011

The world lost a great adventurer Feb. 9, 2011. Frank Albert Franta was a person who loved to travel but more than anything else he loved to fly, learning to fly before he learned to drive. First born to Robert and Shirley Franta in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, Frank grew up as a child in the military; moving and reassignments, making do, exploring new horizons were common in his family, which eventually included a brother and sister. After graduation from high school in Coeur d'Alene he joined the Army, serving in Vietnam. Returning home and entering college he explored other employment options but returned to the military in 1972 when he married.

The Air Force job in electronics, working on the navigational equipment in aircraft transitioned him smoothly to his job with Honeywell Corporation upon his discharge five years later. The computer work Frank did opened horizons as he traveled locally in the southern United States, accomplishing the assigned work.

After he transferred to Phoenix, Ariz., Honeywell assigned Frank to their Pacific Rim sites. He frequently traveled to Singapore, Bangkok, Hong Kong, New Delhi, Malaysia and the Philippines. He enjoyed all the sights, cuisine and friends at each locale and ultimately fell in love with the people and country of the Philippines.

Although his residence was in Arizona his love was in the Philippines. His time in Arizona was spent teaching young people to fly through the Civil Air Patrol, teaching survival techniques in the desert or wherever they might find themselves. His recent illness and death interrupted his progress of the construction of his airplane that was intended for use in the Philippines for cargo, passenger and mercy flights for the people he loved so much.

Whether it was remote-control aircraft, parachuting, hang gliding, paragliding or full-sized aircraft, Frank's passion was to be among the clouds. Feb. 9, 2011, he accomplished that mission, unrestrained of gravity.

Frank is survived by his daughter, Margaret Franta Cane and her husband Jerrod, their daughter Piper; his mother, Shirley Brasswell and sister Ellen MacDonald, husband Herb; numerous nephews and nieces.

He is preceded in death by his father, Robert and brother John.

In Frank's memory, a small memorial service will be held at 6 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 26, 2011, at the Lake City Senior Center, 1916 Lakewood Drive, Coeur d'Alene.