Frank Irvin Ambler, Jr, age 92, died on June 19, 2012, at the Richland Rehabilitation Center due to complications from congestive heart failure.

Frank was born on February 11, 1920 in Honolulu, Hawaii to Frank Irvin Ambler, Sr. and Lucile Alice DeCrow. He grew up on poi, laulau, coconuts, papaya and pineapples fresh from the fields. He rarely wore shoes as an island boy and enjoyed body-surfing in the warm Pacific waters. He graduated from Roosevelt High School in 1940.

While attending high school, Frank also had various jobs, such as equipment operators for Honolulu Sugar Planters Assoc. and Hawaiian Pineapple Co. He also worked briefly as a bookkeeper and clerk for Hawaii Meat Co.

In July 1941, Frank began work as a civilian aircraft mechanic at Hickam Field at the Hawaiian Air Depot. From his family home, high in the hills above Honolulu, he witnessed the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor early on the morning of December 7, 1941. His account of that experience was recorded in the book, Gone With The Dawn. Frank continued his work at Hickam Field during World War II, rising to the level of Production Supervisor, until August 1946, when he left the islands to go to Stockton, California to enter the College of the Pacific now Pacific University.

On Labor Day weekend of 1946, Frank went on a blind date to the Coconut Grove Nightclub in Los Angeles. He and his date, Ruth Beardslee, hit it off so well, the following night they went to the Aragon Ballroom in Santa Monica. Frank returned to Stockton and attended only a few months of classes when he received his "greetings" from Uncle Sam which put an end to his college plans. No sooner had he withdrawn from the college and arrived in Los Angeles, President Truman announced the end of the draft. What now? He had lost his spot at the college. He and Ruthie were in love, but he had no job with which to start a life together. They made the decision to marry and move back to Hawaii, where Frank worked in his parents' general merchandise store, Ambler's Golden Rule, in Honolulu. Before departing, they were married on March 14, 1947 in Compton, California.

In May of 1948, Ruthie gave birth to Elizabeth Groendyke and the three of them returned to California aboard the S. S. Lurline in December. As the seas got rough, Elizabeth's crib began to travel across the cabin and had to be tied to a post.

In October 1951, they had a second daughter, Priscilla Engeman, who was Frank's "shadow" and fishing partner. Both daughters and their husbands are now residents of Richland, WA. Four grandchildren and two great grandchildren also survive Frank. He was preceded in death by both of his younger brothers Donald Arthur Ambler and Richard Hawes Ambler.

Frank began working for Los Angeles County in February 1949 as a maintenance worker and ultimately rising to the level of Road Superintendent within the Los Angeles County Road Department. He retired in March 1976.

During his County working years, he and his family resided in Reseda, La Puente and Whittier, California. They were also members of the First Christian Church of Whittier.

After their retirement, Frank and Ruthie became well-established residents in Topaz Ranch Estates TRE near Wellington, Nevada. They had a large group of friends and enjoyed their 35 years of retirement living there. Wood cutting, camping and parties were frequent activities of the group.

Frank dedicated several years to caring for Ruthie as her Alzheimer's disease progressed. After her passing in 2003, Frank became a loving friend and domestic partner with Monita Boesewetter of New York City until her passing in late 2008.

Frank was being cared for by a dear TRE friend in his home before being relocated to Richland in 2010 to be near immediate family and for his ongoing care. He was well-liked by those at Richland Rehabilitation, where he was known for his Hawaiian shirts. The family wishes to express their deepest gratitude to the staff at Richland Rehabilitation for the respect and dignity with which they treated Frank.

Frank had major interests in travel, photography, electronics and trains. He often accompanied family on outings to railroad tourist spots or camping sites, camera in hand. He traveled to Scandinavia, Europe and Hawaii on several occasions, including his 60th high school reunion.

Frank was well known for being a very congenial and helpful individual and was very knowledgeable in mechanical devices and road maintenance practices. He was a member of Sea Scouts when growing up and became an avid fisherman in his early adult years and later served as a volunteer for the TRE Fire Department. His retirement was spent doing wonderful improvement projects around their home. He and Ruthie also loved camping, particularly in Nevada and California using their Airstream Trailer.

When Frank's ashes are scattered on the hills overlooking his beloved home in Nevada, a tearful goodbye will be said to a special man who had a full life and was loved by all.