Kvach, Frank Edward

Frank Edward Kvach: A Celebration of Life Service will be held at 11 a.m. on Wednesday at the Cedar Memorial Park Chapel of Memories. Entombment at Cedar Memorial Park Cemetery. Friends may call at the Cedar Memorial Park Funeral Home from 4 to 7 p.m. on Tuesday. Cedar Memorial Park Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.

Frank was born March 24, 1931. He passed peacefully at Mercy Hospice on Nov. 2, 2013.

Parents: Edward and Tillie (Elias) Kvach

Brother: Gary (Jean) deceased

Sister: Betty Barger (Deac) deceased.

Frank is survived by Jeanette (Gabriel) Kvach, married 48 years.

Daughter: Lisa Lacy (Andy)

Nephews: Dennis Barger (Marty); Rick Barger (Julie); and several great-nieces and nephews.

A lifelong resident of Cedar Rapids, Frank graduated from Franklin High School in 1949. He then served in the Army from 1953 to 1955. He was stationed in California and Alaska during the Korean conflict. Following his service, Frank graduated from Dunwoody Industrial Institute, Minneapolis, in 1959.

Frank spent his 34-year career as an estimator and then a partner at Climate Engineers until retirement in 1993. During his time at Climate he was involved with many heating, air-conditioning and sheet-metal ventilation projects including Quaker Oats, FMC, Mercy Medical Center, Kmart, Sara Lee, KCRG-TV9 and Duane Arnold Energy Center. He was involved with the first large-scale equipment lift by helicopter in Iowa in 1970.

Frank enjoyed many sports either via watching or participating, especially baseball. He played kid league baseball from age 9 and played to 14 on the Barney's Paint team when they won the youth city championships those years. After high school, Frank was recruited by the Philadelphia Phillies; due to a serious knee injury he did not pursue professional baseball. However, he continued play in the Major Open Softball leagues and was inducted into the Cedar Rapids Softball Hall of Fame in 1985.

Frank and Jeanette enjoyed trailering and visiting many beautiful sites in the U.S. and Canada, particularly if the location had a mountain view. Fishing and golf were also favorite pastimes. Many stories, most of them true, involved tales of fish caught or almost caught. One prize catch that didn't get away was an 8 lb., 6 oz. walleye caught in 1977. Frank enjoyed frequent outings with his golfing buddies; they chased a lot of golf balls around many Eastern Iowa courses.

At home Frank enjoyed and took pride in his yard. Known for beautiful grass and flower beds, Frank spent many hours tending plants. He's probably best known for the stunning red hibiscus that were planted across the front of their house.

Cancer didn't slow down Frank from several of his interests, especially heading to local casinos in hopes of hitting a big jackpot.

“Frank's family is very grateful to Dr. Ghosh and staff and the Mercy Hospice organization, especially Nancy, Cindy, Kim and Bill for their care and compassion during Frank's final life journey. A special thank you to Jean, Rick, Den and Mike Cole for the help around the house and the time you spent with Frank.”

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to The Salvation Army or Mercy Hospice.

Please leave a message or tribute to Frank's family on the Web at under obituaries.

Published Nov. 4, 2013, in The Gazette