Walking On - Frank E. Kowing Jr.

Frank Eugene Kowing Jr.

April 1, 1944 – Sept. 24, 2016

Frank Eugene Kowing Jr., 72, was deceased on Sept. 24, 2016. He was born April 1, 1944, in McMinnville, Ore., to Frank Sr. and Myrtle (Porter) Kowing.

He attended Sheridan and Ballston elementary schools. After graduating from McMinnville High School in 1962, he attended Linfield College, where he was the college’s first art major, and participated in the Naval Reserves. Frank graduated from Linfield in 1966. He then joined the Navy full-time, serving in the Pacific (stationed out of Japan) during the Vietnam War until 1968.

Frank studied painting at the Rieveld Academy in The Netherlands and subsequently obtained a Master of Fine Arts in painting at Penn State University (1973). He was involved for several years in New York with art galleries and his art. He served in the Peace Corps in Tunisia, teaching art and living skills to developmentally disabled students. He settled in Maryland for the remainder of his life, where he continued his lifelong career in art, painting and curating galleries and museums.

Frank was a painter whose work evolved from impressionist paintings early in his career to found-object sculpture/painting, political commentary artworks and abstract expressionist paintings throughout his adult life. His later works combine elements of all of these. He lived and traveled throughout the world, and his paintings are owned by individuals in many countries as well as throughout the United States.

Frank was divorced once and widowed twice. He was a proud member and Elder of the Confederated Tribes of Grand Ronde. He liked to travel and write about his adventures and thoughts, often working these into his works of art and stories. His book “Monuments, New and Selected Poems” was published in 2009.

Frank was pre-deceased by his father, Frank Sr., and his mother, Myrtle.

He is survived by his sisters, Judith Nesbit of Rose Valley, Wash., and Nancy Earl of Homedale, Idaho; brothers, Bradley Kowing of Prineville Ore., and Terry Kowing of Middletown, Calif.; and son, Joel Siemienczuk of Saint Helens, Ore. Frank had many friends, cousins, aunts, uncles, nephews and nieces.

Frank’s advance directives included cremation, with final interment and celebration of his life at the Grand Ronde Tribal Cemetery on April 1, which would have been his 73^rd birthday. A gathering of friends and family will follow.

Frank has finally come full circle. He was loved by many and will be sorely missed.