Francis Dominic VILMAIN

VILMAIN, LEWRIGHT, SMITH, TRACZYK, CAFFREY, BARRETT, HART

Posted By: Sarah Thorson Little (email)
Date: 1/20/2008 at 11:08:04

Santa Fe New Mexican, New Mexico
March 28, 2005

FRANCIS DOMINIC VILMAIN, Age 81, born in Eagle Grove, IA May 4th, 1923, died peacefully at his home in Santa Fe, NM March 24, 2005. After a long and healthy life, Frank suffered his final years with Alzheimer's. He was preceded in death by his parents: Leon and Josephine who immigrated from France in 1902.

He is survived by his wife of 57 years, Ruth Ellen Lewright. Frank was the youngest of eight children with 3 brothers and 3 sisters preceding him in death, and is survived by his brother, Richard and his brother's wife Wilma of Eagle Grove, IA. Frank is also survived by his eight children: Suzanne and her husband Steve Smith, Jean and her husband Pat Caffrey, Steve and his fiance Shannon Traczyk, Mike, Judy and her husband David Barrett, Teresa, Jim and his wife Lory Hart, and David and his wife Emily. Eleven grandchildren: Jeremy, Martin, Toby, Caleb, James and his wife Candace, Jessica and her husband Mike, Ryan, Dominic, Megan, Joe and Elliott. Three great grandchildren: Christian, Chandler and Olivia, and many nieces & nephews.

Frank served in the Navy in World War II, was educated at Iowa State University, Iowa State Teachers College, University of Wyoming, University of Wisconsin-Madison, and Illinois Institute of Technology in Chicago. He taught physics at Rodman High School in Rodman, IA and West High School in Waterloo, IA and for 23 years at the University of Northern Iowa where he was honored as Teacher of the Year in 1987. He was a member of Sigma Pi Sigma, Knights of Columbus, and Lions Club. After retiring in 1988, Frank and Ruth moved from Cedar Falls, IA to Lake Viking in Missouri. Five years ago they moved to Santa Fe, NM to be near family. Frank was a parishioner at St. Francis Cathedral in Santa Fe.

He introduced the first computer to UNI in the late 60's, and the first internet server for the university was named "Frank" in his honor. He loved gardening, electronics and restoring early radios, but what he valued most was conversation with his family, his students and his many friends. He was a rare father, friend, mentor and teacher. He led a simple and straight forward life filled with curiosity, and he practiced a personal philosophy of "God is love and it doesn't hurt to be kind." The family would like to thank his wonderful caregivers --- his angels of mercy -- Tommy Archuleta, Dolores Grobe, Monica Padilla, Richard Perez and his hospice nurse, Cathy Downs. In lieu of flowers, contributions can be made to a memorial c/o Frank Vilmain memorial fund, University of Northern Iowa, 205 Commons, Cedar Falls, Iowa 50614. A rosary will be recited at the St. Francis Cathedral in Santa Fe on Monday evening, March 28 at 7 p.m. A funeral mass will be conducted by Monsignor Jerome Martinez y Alire at the Cathedral on Tuesday, March 29th at 10 a.m. with internment at the National Cemetery at 11:30 a.m. Arrangements are under the direction of Berardinelli Family Funeral Service, 1399 Luisa Street, Santa Fe, NM 87505