Frank Kirschner died peacefully at home overlooking the Gila River, in Cliff on Sunday, August 30th. He was being attended to by friends, family, physician and hospice care.
If you have ever hiked in the Gila National Forest, Wilderness and beyond, you might have run into Frank and the hiking group he started. They would have been strung out over a few hundred yards on or off the trail, possibly bleeding from the cat claw that Frank had taken them thru, but always talking.
Frank is survived by 4 sons, Eric, David (Joni), Ted (Carrie), Lyn (Michele). Son Bruce (Anna), daughter Janet and two wives (Virginia and Mary), preceded him in death. Frank also has 5 grandchildren and 5 great grandchildren, with another on the way. He is also survived by his long-time friend, Sandy. Can't forget Minnie, the one dog that finally out lived him.
Frank was born in Pittsburgh, Pa on an infamous day, April 6, 1917; the day the U.S. entered World War I. He was a World War II veteran serving in the Coast Guard in both the Atlantic and Pacific. After the war he went to college, receiving Soils and Agronomy degrees from Utah State and the University of Florida.
He worked for the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Soil Conservation Service in Indiana, Alaska and Saudi Arabia until his retirement in 1983. He chose to move to the Silver City area upon a friend's recommendation without ever having visited here.
There was no Internet in those days. The hiking group is still going on without him. Now they actually know when they get lost, thanks to GPS. The most dreaded words on Frank's hikes were, "it's just another quarter mile". That is when you knew he had no idea where he was or where he was going.
In memoriam, please donate to hospice or Upper Gila Watershed Association (UGWA). And, if you are ever hiking on a trail in Grant or Catron County, Frank has probably been there; hopefully you can follow in his footsteps to have a long and rewarding life and a peaceful death at home among loved ones. Cremation has taken place at Terrazas Crematory.
Arrangements are with Terrazas Funeral Chapels and Crematory "Trusted care for the ones you love" ~ 575-537-0777. To send condolences, visit www.terrazasfuneralchapel.com.