Frank John Belmont

Frank John Belmont, Jr., 90, of Indian Wells, California, died peacefully on Wednesday, October 14, 2015.

Frank was born to Frank and Libby (Fontana) Belmont on May 26, 1925, in Pomona, California. He attended Alhambra High School, which he left in 1943 to join the United States Navy. During WWII, He served as an electrician aboard the USS Ericsson (DD-440), which fought in the Battle of Anzio, during the Italian Campaign. After the war, he returned home and attended Cal Poly, Pomona, where he earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Agriculture in 1952. He married Doris "Ernie" Carter on December 16, 1951, and the couple settled in Running Springs, California, where they raised their two children, Tina and Jamie.

Frank was an elementary school teacher for 28 years, teaching at Bloomington Elementary School, Lake Arrowhead Elementary School, and Mary Putnam Henck Intermediate School, where he was affectionately known by his students as "Mr. B." In addition to receiving an unsurpassed academic education, his students learned valuable personal skills, such as responsibility, teamwork, and discipline. They also developed analytical skills through their lunchtime and after-school games of chess. Mr. B was also well-known for his storytelling and his science experiments. His love for teaching and his dedication to impacting the lives of his students made him a much beloved figure in the community.

Frank loved his family, his students, and spending time hiking and enjoying nature in the mountains.  He also enjoyed playing tennis, which he continued to do into his eighties, and he was very proud of his service to his country in WWII.

Frank is survived by his wife, Ernie Belmont, his two children, Tina (Belmont) Slick of Mission Viejo, Calif. and Jamie Belmont of Aliso Viejo, Calif., and a granddaughter, Macie Slick of Mission Viejo, Calif.

A viewing will be held from 11:00 a.m - 3:00 p.m. on Sunday, October 25, at Forest Lawn Mortuary in Cathedral Hills. Private services and burial will be at Riverside National Cemetery.