Dear Highline College,

We have learned that former Highline College faculty member Karen Frank passed away at age 81 on Sept. 16, 2023 in Bellevue. On behalf of Highline College, I extend my deep condolences to her family, friends and former co-workers.

Mrs. Frank worked at Highline College for 37 years, serving Highline from 1964-2001. A faculty member and program coordinator for the Mathematics department, Mrs. Frank was passionate about teaching math students based on their learning styles. During her time at Highline, she was an adviser for “Cheer staff” from 1966-68, and, in the early 1990s, she was the coordinator for the “Math Lab,” which assisted students with learning problems and allowed them to take their math in individually-paced labs.

Highline College awarded Mrs. Frank the Faculty Senate Recognition Award in February 1988 for “excellence and superior performance of professional obligations” as she worked as a full-time math instructor, the math department’s secretary for 20 years, and for her assistance as a student adviser. In a past ThunderWord newspaper edition, a colleague described her as an “excellent teacher and especially good at helping students who have difficulty understanding math and adjusting to the college environment.” Mrs. Frank was chair of the Tenure Review Committee for five years and was awarded Professor Emeritus in June 2000, one year before her retirement.

Outside of Highline, Mrs. Frank was a loving mother, wife and traveling companion. She was a leader in both Girl Scouts and Camp Fire leader and coached youth soccer.

Mrs. Frank was born and reared in Seattle, graduating from Cleveland High School in 1959. She attended Western Washington State College (now known as Western Washington University) and earned her Bachelor of Arts in Education in 1963. Mrs. Frank went on to earn her master’s in mathematics from Oklahoma State University in 1964.

While sad occasions, losses to our Highline family also allow us to reflect on the legacy of the leadership from those who have helped create the college we know and love today.

Mrs. Frank is survived by her husband of 60 years, Richard Frank, their three daughters and their husbands, their four grandchildren and her brother and sister. There will not be a public memorial service, however, donations can be made to the Seattle Children’s Hospital or the Highline College Foundation in her name.

Sincerely,

John R. Mosby, Ph.D.

President