Ron FRASE Obituary (1924 – 2021) – Spokane, WA

In his remarkable 97 years of life, Ron’s three favorite words were gratitude, integrity and passion, and he faithfully embodied them. He was born in 1924 to Marion and Glen Frase in Buffalo, New York. He attended Wheaton College in Illinois in 1942, and then served for two years in the United States Navy where he often said he learned to fly a plane before he learned to drive. After graduating from Fuller Theological Seminary, he started Young Life Clubs in Glendale and South Pasadena, California high schools.

He met and married the love of his life, Marianne Somers, while the campus pastor at Berkeley Presbyterian Church. Their daughters Shelly and Melissa were born during the time they prepared and began serving as missionaries in Brazil for five years. They returned to Princeton University on furlough with the expectation of returning until a military coup prevented this. They remained in Princeton where Ron studied for his doctorate in sociology.

In 1973, their family moved to Spokane where he became a professor of sociology. Fulfilling a promise to his Brazilian colleagues to introduce American students to the beauty and marginalization of Latin America, he initiated the Central American Study Service Program (CASP), an innovative immersion experience that Whitworth University continues to this day, 46 years later.

Students often express appreciation for his passion for social justice, and being challenged, moved and changed by this transformative experience in a variety of Central America countries. He completed his career at Whitworth as their chaplain, and though retiring in 1990, he is renown for his deep friendships with the many students he has stayed in contact with through years of letters and visits. In 2018, Whitworth University honored Ron with its Distinguished Ministry Leadership Award.

People fondly referred to their home as “Hotel Frase” for Marianne’s gracious hospitality, the many delicious dinners and deep conversations around their table, and overnight stays. Ron embraced life to the fullest. He loved fly-fishing, camping in Montana in their Volkswagen van, canoeing on Priest Lake, backpacking and traveling through Latin America and Europe. He even gave snow shoeing a try at 94! He relished simple pleasures too, like a ripe tomato from the garden or shimmering fall foliage in New England and the Northwest.

Ron is survived by his beloved family: his wife, Marianne, his daughters Shelly (John Owen), Melissa (Stephen Alfstad), his granddaughters Blake, Courtney and Claire, his great grandchildren, his brother Wayne (Jackie Frase), and numerous

nieces and nephews. He is preceded in death by his parents, and brothers Bruce and Stewart Frase.

A celebration of life will be held December 11 at Whitworth University’s chapel at 11:30. His family is deeply grateful for the care provided at the Hospice House. In lieu of flowers, you may make a contribution to the Whitworth University Ron and Marianne Frase Central America Endowment Fund.