Franklin Roy Tate will be remembered by those who loved him for his warm heart, creative mind, and activist spirit. He passed from this world on April 25, 2017. Frank was born on June 13, 1955 to Dorothy (Springer) and Lloyd Tate. He grew up on the Southside of Des Moines, Iowa, a place that remained dear to his heart. After graduating from Des Moines Lincoln High School in 1973, he enlisted in the Navy in 1975, and was trained as a naval photographer in Pensacola, Florida. He also served on the USS Nimitz, and later in New London, CT. (He once quipped that his headstone should read, 'I'd rather be here, than on the USS Nimitz'.) He was honorably discharged in 1982 after 6.5 years of service. He attended Rochester Institute of Technology, receiving his BA in Audiovisual Communication in 1986. Subsequently, he moved to the Lansing, MI area with his first wife, Kate, where their two sons, Dylan and Ethan, were born. Frank worked in the field of educational technology at Michigan State University, retiring after 25 years. Additionally, he earned his Master's Degree in Educational Technology from MSU in 2006. Frank particularly enjoyed his final years at MSU working to design and develop online courses. Frank and Mary Bremigan met and fell in love in 2008, and the two were married in 2010. For several years they lived large, travelling and embracing life, despite his diagnosis with kidney cancer. Frank was an avid golfer, and a gifted photographer and designer. He was a dedicated activist for civil rights and peace. He loved his sons beyond measure. Franklin is survived by his wife, Dr. Mary Tate Bremigan, sons Dylan Lloyd and Ethan Richard Tate and their mother Kate (Anderson) Tate, sisters Linda (Denny) Waterman and Patricia (Robert) Welty, brother Richard (Patricia) Tate, nephews Jeff (Jenny) Waterman and John (Angela) Tate, nieces Brandy Tate, Kathie (David) Cunningham and Cheryl (Darrin) Glover, several cousins, and grand-nieces and nephews. Memorial Services will be held both in East Lansing and Des Moines. In East Lansing, a service at the Peoples Church, 200 W Grand River Ave., will take place Thursday May 4, 2017 at 3:00pm (visitation at 2:00pm). In Des Moines, a service at Park Avenue Presbyterian Church, 3120 SW 9th St, Des Moines, IA 50315 will take place on Monday May 8, 2017 at 3:00pm (visitation at 2:00pm). In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to Veterans for Peace 1404 North Broadway, Saint Louis, MO 63102 www.veteransforpeace.org or Hospice of Lansing, Stoneleigh Residence 3411 Stoneleigh Dr., Lansing, MI 48910 http://hospiceoflansing.org/our-residence/. Memories and condolences may be shared with the family at www.grlansing.com. The family is being served by Gorsline Runciman Funeral Homes, Lansing chapel.
Published in Des Moines Register on Apr. 30, 2017