Frank Emerson Mahan of Ventura, California passed away peacefully on January 19, 2025. Frank is survived by his son, Frank Emerson Mahan Jr.; daughter-in-law, Kate Wollman-Mahan; and granddaughter, Heather Mahan.
Frank was an easy friend to those who were lucky enough to know him, with a quiet charm and infectious smile which belied an analytical intelligence.
A lifelong teacher, Frank was recruited to join Beverly Hills High School, where he developed custom programs in architecture, engineering, and robotics. He ran studio-style classes that developed critical thinking, problem solving, and technical skills. Frank and his classes were recognized for these achievements with numerous teaching, student, and project awards. Over the course of more than three decades, he mentored thousands of students, many of whom would reach out later in life to share his impact on the course of their career. His sense of humor and calm demeanor enabled his students to turn to him for support in both their professional and personal challenges. Frank was educated at San Jose State University, earning Bachelor’s and Masters degrees in education.
Frank joined the Air Force during the Korean War, and was stationed at various bases in the United States, utilizing both his technical skills and athleticism.
Frank was a true Californian. He spent his early years in Ventura County and returned for the final decades of life. He was born in Moorpark, California to Allene Viola Anderson Mahan and Frank Emerson Mahan on February 11, 1933. He attended Moorpark Union High School, graduating in 1951. He also spent four years living in Hawaii, inclusive of the bombing of Pearl Harbor. A natural athlete, he was skilled at swimming, waterskiing, and surfing and he continued surfing into his 80s. Frank’s father passed away when he was 16, leaving him and his mom to care for one another. He was dedicated to his mother’s care for the rest of her life, visiting regularly later in life with his wife and son.
Frank was dedicated first and foremost to his family. He met his wife, Jacky, in Los Angeles and married in 1975. They enjoyed an active lifestyle of dancing, camping, and waterskiing. In 1979 they welcomed a son, Frank Jr. A devoted father, Frank was closely involved in all of Frank Jr.’s endeavors, from karate to waterskiing, academia to his pursuit of architecture. Later, he welcomed Kate to the family as a daughter, taught her to waterski and surf, and expanded his interests to include hers. He was overjoyed to welcome a granddaughter, Heather in 2015.
After a career spent in public school education, Frank retired to Ventura with Jacky. His desire was to fall asleep listening to the waves breaking, as he recalled from his youth. Together with Jacky, he built a community of surfers, neighbors, and friends in Ventura. Even when he wasn’t able to surf anymore, he was well known to all for his walks along the Promenade to study the waves, with his trusty shih tzu, Louie, by his side.
Frank will be dearly missed. A Celebration of Life and Paddle Out will be held in Ventura on January 31, 2025.