Sad news...Frank Christ, a friend, mentor, leader and to many of us was considered the father of Learning Assistance -- has passed away. For the past three years he has been battling cancer and until a couple of months ago was seemingly holding his own.

Frank L. Christ: Visiting Scholar, U of A, AZ: Keynoter, Presenter, Mentor, Co-founder of LSCHE.net (Learning Support Centers in Higher Education).

Frank was the director of the CSU Long Beach Summer Institutes (1985-1989), the co-director/coordinator of the Arizona Winter Institutes (1991-2003) and has been actively involved with learning assistance for more than 40 years. He was the founder and past coordinator (1972-1990) of the award-winning Learning Assistance Support System at CSU Long Beach. He was the author of  the first computer-based diagnostic and prescriptive study skills survey, six study skills textbooks, and many articles on learning assistance, study skills, and technology as it impacts on teaching and student learning. In recent years, Frank had been involved in on-line course development and teaching as well as presenting workshops on learning support for online student/learners.

Frank was one of the founding fathers and past president of the College Reading and Learning Association. His editorial contributions include guest editor and contributor to the Jossey-Bass New Directions for Learning Assistance series (1981), founding columnist (1981-87) of the Journal of Developmental Education "Techtalk" Series, co-editor of Starting up a Learning Assistance Center: Conversations With CRLA Members Who Have Been There and Done That (2000), co-author of 100 Things Every Online Student Ought To Know. (2003), and of Online Student Skills and Strategies Handbook (2006).  Frank was also a Founding Fellow (2000) of CLADEA. Most recently, Frank had submitted a proposal for LSCHE and won NCLCA's "Innovative Use of Technology Award" on October 4, 2012.

I thank you for the many heartfelt comments and replies already received regarding Frank Christ's passing. I believe all posts to date should now be under colleague tributes at http://www.lsche.net/resources/memoriam/christ_f/. If you have not and would like to send a colleague tribute post, simply reply to this message on LRNASST and I can post it in LSCHE.

Cards for Alice (his wife) and family can be sent to the following address:
Alice Christ
P.O. Box 3277
Sierra Vista, AZ 85636

Please do not send flowers! Instead of flowers, Frank & Alice had decided they would rather have a donation in their place. A special account which has been set up in Frank & Alice Christ's names through Texas State University. Frank was a Founder and Mentor of TIDE (Technology Institute for Developmental Educators) and was working with David Caverly to send his personal Learning Assistance Library to become part of a Scholar's Library to support their Developmental Education program. If you would like to send a donation instead of flowers you can send it as a check or charge as follows:

For checks, send to:
Frank & Alice Christ Scholar's Library & Scholarship Fund
Texas State University-San Marcos
Attn: Donor Services, JCK-480
601 University Drive
San Marcos, TX 78666

For charges, please call Kimberly at (512) 245-3022.
and state that it is for the new Frank & Alice Christ Scholar's Library & Scholarship Fund
Kimberly A. Garrett
Assistant Director, Donor Services
Endowment Compliance
University Liaison for Retired Faculty & Staff Association

Frank Christ's memorial service will begin at the church at noon in Sierra Vista, AZ and end at FT Huachuca on Friday, January 25, 2013:

• Church Funeral Services: Noon at St Andrew Catholic Church, 800 Taylor Drive N.W., Sierra Vista, AZ
• Luncheon: approx. 1pm (after services), in the St Andrew Church Hall
• Internment of Ashes: 2pm in Sierra Vista Columbarium at Vets Cemetery, Buffalo Soldiers Trail, within Ft. Huachuca, 1300 Buffalo Soldier Trail

If you are planning to attend the memorial service and would like to, please contact me. I can send you more info and see if we can help coordinate plans. Sun Canyon Inn was recommended as a place to stay in Sierra Vista at http://www.suncanyoninn.com/rooms_amenities.php.

Rick Sheets
rick.sheets@lsche.net
623-240-0572 wk@hm
623-975-7677 home

 Frank, Goodbye, for now my friend! You will be fondly remembered and much missed here! Know peace until we meet again! I hear Amazing Grace playing on bagpipes in my head as I close this message...

(posted by Rick Sheets, Friend & LSCHE Co-founder)