Frank Field Forbes

Frank was born on April 5, 1924, and was raised in Redwood Falls, Minnesota. He often spoke of carefree times on ice covered ponds and humorous childhood escapades in this small, quaint town that held so many wonderful memories for him. His father, Field Forbes, was the city engineer and his mother, Mabel Forbes, worked at home, caring for the family. Frank graduated from Redwood Falls High School in 1942.

He then attended Iowa State College (now University) where he studied Civil Engineering. While attending college, Frank worked on survey teams during the summers, surveying the Missouri River in North Dakota. Frank was a member of the Delta Tau Delta fraternity during his days at ISC and graduated from ISC in 1946. Frank was a true Cyclone fan and followed his team and his alma mater throughout his lifetime. Frank would be the first to tell you, though, that his greatest accomplishment during college was meeting the love of his life, Doris Gramness. They met in 1944, fell in love, and married on October 1, 1946.

Frank and Doris moved to California in the fall of 1946. They lived in South Pasadena before moving to a home in Arcadia in 1954 where they raised their 4 children. Frank worked as a city engineer for the cities of South Pasadena, Arcadia, and Director of Public Works in San Gabriel before retiring in the 1980s. In 1992 Frank was elected to the Upper San Gabriel Valley Water District and served in this capacity for 16 years. Frank often spoke fondly of his various professions and the people with whom he worked over the years, many of whom he kept contact with throughout the rest of his life.

Frank was an amazing man. He was a committed Christian and served in various positions at Calvary Presbyterian Church in South Pasadena and Arcadia Presbyterian Church over the years. He was a devoted family man and was always available for his children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren. We all feel incredibly blessed to have had Frank so present in our lives for so many years. Frank's weekends were devoted to family members' sporting events, band reviews, parades, theatre productions, birthday celebrations, and babysitting duties. He loved his family fiercely, and created a lifetime of cherished memories with them. Frank loved unconditionally and deeply, and his unwavering love and faith in his family will endure in our hearts forever.