Franklin A. Biber

Frank was born September 24, 1927 on his brother Bill’s sixth birthday. Bill was hoping for a bike, not a baby brother. His parents, Francis and Louise, raised the boys in Brookfield, Illinois. Frank joined the Coast Guard and served for two years as a weatherman stationed at Argentia, Newfoundland, cruising the North Sea. Upon discharge, he married the former Maxine Klemp. He returned to school, getting a degree in accounting and pursuing that career his entire working life. Frank enjoyed woodworking throughout his life and could repair and build most anything. He finally pulled the plug on his hobby at the age of 88. Frank was also a great baker and was well known for his chocolate mayonnaise cake and famous cupcakes. He was always trying out new things gleaned from his Czechoslovakian mother’s recipe file, not always successful! He and Maxine had four children: Brian (deceased) and wife Judy; Craig and wife Linda; Candace and husband Chuck Menzel; and Cheryl and husband Tom Hansen. He also leaves ten grandchildren, Jennifer, Craig, Jr., Melissa, Molly, Shelly, Cristie, Scott, Shannon, Andrew, Ryan and sixteen great grandchildren. Also, his four step children, Jeff Gordon, Jan Ellsworth, Judy Bergerson and Joni Milchak.

While employed at Infrared Industries in Chicago, the company moved operations to Carpinteria in 1962. Frank and his family transferred with the company to Santa Barbara. He was later employed by Motel 6, Cottage Hospital and ended his career at the Santa Barbara YMCA as CFO, retiring after fifteen years in 1993. Frank was a member of the Elks and Kiwanis. Maxine and Frank travelled the world extensively prior to her passing in 2001, after 54 years of marriage. Frank then married the former Pat Gordon in 2003. Together they enjoyed traveling with the Elks Caravaneer’s in their RV and later touring the world mainly on river cruises throughout Europe and on large cruise ships. During the past years, Frank and Pat spent many weeks in Alaska where his step daughter, Jan, lives. He enjoyed salmon fishing and cruising Big Lake on the pontoon boat and relaxing at the cabin. They drove to Alaska several times in their RV and in the infamous red Cadillac.

Frank passed away peacefully at Serenity House on September 6, 2018. A memorial wild be held at a later date.