Francis "Frank" Bott, Jr.

Frank Bott lived a beautiful life filled with family, good friends, and a sense of fun. The son of Jackie and Frank Bott, he grew up in the foothills of San Bernardino, CA. From an early age, Frank affirmed life and revealed a carefree manner that would make Mark Twain smile. He caught rats, lizards, spiders, and milked rattlesnakes for their venom. He built go-karts and motorcycle racing tracks and had a paper route. Frank graduated from Aquinas High School in 1980 and during those years his hospitality was infamous; included leaving an alligator in a teacher's classroom, driving his siblings to school with a beanbag replacing the back seat, and hosting parties for his many friends. Frank attended Utah State where he met his wife, Vicki Blackwell. His innovative spirit led him to convert a fraternity house yard to a ski slope and sing lead in a band. Although an Aggie, Frank, the son of a Notre Dame alumni, fiercely supported the Irish. Throughout his life Frank's loyalty to ND was reflected in the garb he wore, and the genuine pride he took in visiting the campus while his kids attended Notre Dame Swim camp; yes, the rumor of Frank fishing in the ND Reflecting Pool may or may not be true. You decide.

Frank and Vicki married on November 17, 1990 and they have three amazing children, Rebecca, Francis Joseph "Joe" Bott, III, and Samuel Bott. The family has enjoyed many special trips together including the annual Beach week with Frank's siblings, Tracy, Kelly, Amy, Tom, Dan, and Jim. Frank took pride in his 35' RV and took several memorable trips over the years with family and friends. Frank took Sam and his best friend, Spencer, to Mount Rushmore, and Joe and friends, the Denucci's on a fishing excursion to Minnesota. Frank's RV saw lots of miles with friends like Gene, Art, Tom and many others. The RV was also a common sight at the CIA pool during the championship swim season and it filled the area with the smell of eggs, potatoes and sausage. This was an event that all the Frank and the swimmers looked forward to every season!

Fatherhood brought out the best in Frank as he and his wife Vicki balanced busy schedules to support their kid's academics and activities. Frank volunteered at the school, coached baseball, and became deeply committed to Central Iowa Aquatics organization where he served as President for two years. His never ending enthusiasm for new activities and programs helped accelerate the growth of what is now considered to be one of Iowa's premier swim clubs.

Frank's talent for helping kids inspired him to return to school and earn an elementary teaching degree. He graduated from Grandview College in Des Moines and student taught at St. Francis and Jordan Creek Elementary and landed a full-time position within the Johnston school district. Frank was an instant success due to his creativity, patience and belief that that all students can succeed. Recently, a former student wrote an essay describing Frank as his hero. When the family moved to Austin, Texas Frank quickly found a job teaching at the same grade school attended by Sam. After 2 and ½ amazing years, Frank took his skills and passion for helping young people to Virginia. As a third grade teacher at Fairview Elementary, Frank continued to challenge students of all abilities to excel inside and outside the classroom. Frank initiated a running program which has recently been renamed as “Boys On The Trail” in honor of Frank. It is not surprising to anyone that Frank showed great courage running a 5K race with the Fairview boys a short time after having his initial surgery and finished out the school year even though he endured daily chemo and radiation for the last six weeks of the school year.

Frank never let the diagnosis get the best of him. He stayed true to himself and rallied on with humor, courage and more projects. He and some high school friends set a goal to run a 10k in Boulder, Colorado in May 2012. It was one of many races he would finish. This past September, only as short time after a second major brain surgery, he ran a 5K with his fraternity brothers.

Frank was born October 19, 1962 in Atwater, CA to Jackie and Frank Bott, Sr. He passed away January 15, 2013 at his home at the age of 50. A funeral mass will be held at 8:30 a.m. Saturday, January 19, 2013 at St. Francis of Assisi, 7075 Ashworth Rd in West Des Moines, IA with a private burial at Resthaven Cemetery. A visitation will be held on Friday, January 18 from 5 to 7 p.m. at Hamilton's on Westown Parkway, 3601 Westown Parkway in West Des Moines.

Memorial contributions may be directed to Accelerate Brain Cancer Cure, 1717 Rhode Island Ave. NW, Suite 700, Washington, DC 20036, http://events.abc2.org/site/TR/Events/General?px=1068769&pg=personal&fr_id=1120

Online condolences may be expressed at www.HamiltonsFuneralHome.com.

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