Frank Klimek

Frank Klimek Frank Klimek, beloved husband and father, was born December 28, 1923 in Sobulky, Czechoslovakia and died on February 10, 2008 at the age of 84. Frank immigrated to the United States in 1929 at the age of 6. His father settled the family in Sewickley, Pennsylvania. Frank loved music and played in his father’s band in his youth. He often spoke of the dances he played for with his father. He was versed on the violin, viola, piano and accordion. He also studied the French horn. His love of music encouraged him to share it with his children and all played some kind of instrument. He formed a quintet with his children and always subjected them to great embarrassment offering to play at family gatherings, friendly outings and church functions much to the chagrin of all his friends. (smile). He also loved to garden. While in Kent, children from around the neighborhood would come to play in Dads’ “jungle”. He also fancied himself a gentlemen farmer and raised chickens and rabbits, and had ducks and geese. He suffered from a soft spot for his animal friends and his children remember him traversing the property in search of slugs for the ducks. (A true story!) He told the same jokes and stories over and over again, which his kids kidded him about, but he welcomed his friends into his life. The door was always open, the coffee pot always on. Several friends expressed how they always felt like “a member of the family”. He was touched by the simple things, which could sometimes bring him to tears. Frank attended Kiski Prep School in Saltsburg, Pennsylvania where, upon graduation, he returned to teach and serve as assistant football coach. In 1943, Frank entered active duty with the Army Air Force where he served during the Second World War in the European Theater of Operation (ETO) as a Technical Sergeant in the field of radio operations aboard B-17’s for a total of 35 missions over occupied Europe. He was awarded the ETO Ribbon with 3 battle stars and the Air Medal with 4 clusters. After the War, Frank returned to Pennsylvania to study at Geneva College in Beaver Falls where he earned a Bachelor of Science in 1949. Following his tenure at Geneva College, Frank moved to Denver, Colorado where he met and married the late Barbara Louise Rose in 1952. Frank & Barbara, and Barbara’s son Jim, moved to Seattle in 1954, but only after the ill-fated attempt to homestead in Alaska, which resulted in being stranded in Blueberry, British Columbia where their son David was born. While living in Seattle, his four remaining children - Jeff, Madelynn, Milla and Vanessa - were born. In 1966, Frank & Barbara moved the clan to Kent, Washington and in 1998, they moved to Olympia where they lived out their lives. Frank worked for The Boeing Company in the Aerospace division for 32 years until he retired in 1986. He was named Employee-of-the-Month/Quarter and was awarded the Certificate of Achievement several times. He always joked about this, with the comment, “Wow! They gave me a gold watch!” He is survived by his six children, James Richard Dougherty and his wife Nancy Anne, David Gregory Klimek, Jeffrey Eldon Klimek, Madelynn Ludmilla Klimkova, Jarmilla Yonnia Klimkova, and Vanessa Stephanie Klimek. He also had six grandchildren, Shane Richard Dougherty, Lisa Marie Dougherty, Michael James Dougherty, Christy Louise Vidas, James Richard Dougherty Jr., and Danielle Alyce DeLuca and six great-grandchildren, Tiffany Dougherty, Erica Colleen Dougherty, Alexander James Dougherty, Jordan Dean Dougherty, Caleb James Vidas, Josephine Alexandria DeLuca and Maximillian Gregory DeLuca. Frank is also survived by his step-mother Mary Klimek, his sisters Frances Melzer and Margaret Betz, and his brothers William Klimek, Robert Klimek, John Klimek and Karl Klimek. We loved you, Daddy. We know you are at peace. In lieu of flowers, please make donations to: Providence SoundHomeCare and Hospice PO Box 5008 Lacey, Washington 98509 The family wishes to gratefully acknowledge Linda, Jerah, Peggy, Sandy, Candice & Doila and all those who cared for our parents. To leave condolences for Barbara Klimek, go to her name on the Obituary page on this website