Jack Frisk (1992-93)

Viola & Jack Frisk

Jack Louis Frisk was born on March 26, 1927 to Ralph and Edna (Holdren) Frisk, in Mountain Grove, Missouri.

Jack attended school there, then Harrison, Idaho, finally graduating from High School in Reardan, Washington. His mother collected his diploma because he enlisted in the Navy when he was 17, became military eligible at 18, and was not in attendance at graduation.

Jack served as a Navy hospital corpsman at the end of WWII . In 1948, Jack married the love of his life, Viola Anderson, also of Reardan, his lifelong partner and biggest supporter. They were married 55 years when she passed in 2003.

Together they raised three children, Connie, Jo, and Jim. Jack attended Eastern Washington College on the GI Bill, earned a degree, and began teaching in Aberdeen. The Navy called him back to service for the Korean War , again as a hospital corpsman, after which he returned to teaching, then moved to Kennewick where he became principal of Eastgate Elementary, and the first principal of Highlands Jr. High.

Continuing his education, Jack earned a Master's Degree from EWC and an EdD from the University of Washington . He served as Superintendent of Schools in Anacortes, Port Angeles, and Yakima, retiring as Deputy State Superintendent of Public Instruction in Olympia.

After retirement, Jack and Vi returned to Anacortes where they welcomed and fed friends and friends to be in their home on Thompson Beach.

Well remembered for his influence in the education arena, Jack is perhaps better known for his work in community service, particularly as a Rotarian .

A 2005 recipient of the Service Above Self Award, the highest honor given by Rotary International, he exemplified that motto. A past president of several Rotary Clubs and Past District Governor of Rotary District 5050, Jack inspired others to get involved and encouraged and supported them when they did.

The Rotary partnership with the Wheelchair Foundation became a special passion for Jack, taking him to all the clubs in District 5050 to explain how they could buy quality wheelchairs to be provided to those in need around the world.

Jack even traveled to Trinidad, Bolivia, South Africa, and Nepal to fit people into wheelchairs, giving them mobility, some for the first time.

Jack passed away on September 12, 2015 after a long illness, survived by his three children: Connie Roberts Milliken (Dennis), Jo Griggs, Jim Frisk (Kim Janz) and 5 grandchildren: Scott Roberts (Carmen), Jeremy (fiancé Chealsy Mead) and Ryan Mriglott, Christian Griggs, Mandi Vogelbacher (Jason), and 6 great grandchildren: Logan and Tolliver Roberts, Jaya Mriglot, and Autumn, Kaelyn, and Lilly Vogelbacher.

He is also survived by many, many wonderful friends. He was preceded in death by his parents, Ralph and Edna Frisk, his wife Vi Frisk, and two grandsons, Paul Roberts and Jacob Griggs.