Francis "Frank" Bott, Jr.
January 15, 2013
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.
Acevedo Family
01/17/2013
We are sad to have heard the loss of Frank, we send our prayers to you and the family.
Highland Ca.
Leesa Whitt-Potter
01/17/2013
Vicki and family,
Please know you are not alone in your sorrow. Love and thoughts are with you and your family during this very difficult time. Find peace in knowing just how many others share very deeply in your loss.
Cathy & Eddie Alford
01/17/2013
Vicki & Family, we were sorry to hear of Franks death. Our deepest sympathy to all of you. You will be in our thoughts & prayers.
Cathy & Eddie Alford
Gilbert Az
Lyn and Russ Mullins
01/17/2013
To all the Bott Family, We deeply regret that we cannot be with you today to express our deep sadness and condolences. Frankie will always be remembered for his humor, goodness, faith and unwavering courage in the face of such a devastating disease. Our love and blessings are with you, always. We have great sorrow for your loss. Lyn and Russ Mullins
Sue Franklin
01/17/2013
Vicki, Becca, Joe and Sam, your Frank was a wonderful and kind man. I always think of him with that big smile of his and how hands on he was as a dad. It was very evident all of you you were his #1. He always willing to pitch in and help during our Crestview Elementary days and he was fun to be around. Please know even though you may not have recently seen some of us from the old days, we care and will keep all of you in our prayers. God bless Frank.
Nancy Brennan
01/17/2013
My heart is so heavy. Vicki, you are loved and appreciated by so many--I am hoping that knowing so many are grieving with you gives you some measure of consolation.
The Robinson Family
01/17/2013
Our deepest sympathy to you and your family. You are all in our thoughts and prayers at this time of great sorrow. Frank was so loved by all who knew him, we will miss him.
Lowe Family
01/17/2013
Vicki, Becca, Joe, Sam... Please accept our deepest sympathy. We have also loved & lost --there is no greater pain. The memories will stay strong and he will be forever in your heart. You are such a strong family, it is with each other you will find comfort.
Stout Family
01/17/2013
We are so sorry to hear of your loss. Our condolences go out to you and your family. May you find comfort in His promise. (Matthew 5:4) Peace be with you.
Jill, Larry, Brenna, Logan, Luke, Steven, and Will Stout
MaryKay Mickelson
01/17/2013
Vicki,Becca,Joe,Sam, I will forever have wonderful memories of Frank, his fun loving spirit, his laugh and his tremendous energy. How lucky I am to have known him. He was so proud of each of you. Take care.MK
K. Jackson
01/17/2013
Please accept my deepest sympathy for I too know the pain of losing someone you love. May your family find comfort as I have in knowing that our loving heavenly Father promises us that very soon he will 'swallow up death forever, and certainly wipe the tears from all faces.' (Isaiah 25:8) What a wonderful day that will be!
Staci Marino
01/17/2013
I never met your husband and father, but it is evident by this outpouring of love that his was a life well lived, He will be missed but never forgotten because he is lucky enough to have a beautiful, successful family to carry on his legacy. I know he is in heaven right now filled with love and pride for all of you.
Kasper Family
01/17/2013
To the Bott Family,
We are so saddened to hear about your loss. Mr. Bott was Daniela's 3rd grade teacher at Rutledge Elem. in Austin. He was always kind and thoughful of her and her two siblings. Our Prayers are with all of you.
Kasper Family
Sewit Bocresion
01/17/2013
Vicki,
I am so sorry to hear of your husband's passing. My sincere condolences go out to you and to your family at this very difficult time.
Sewit
Sharon and Rich Caldwell
01/16/2013
Dear Bott Family, we will be with you all in spirit at Frankie's service. We know how difficult it is for you and our hearts are full of sorrow. He was a wonderful person. Everything a family could hope for and more. Much love, The Caldwell Family