Franklin Matsler

Franklin Giles Matsler was one of the last surviving Army servicemen of World War II and a productive member of what Tom Brokaw has aptly described as the ‘Greatest Generation.’ Frank was born December 27, 1922 in Glendive, Montana, the 2nd of six siblings. Upon graduation from High School, he joined the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) where he became proficient in Morse Code and became the camp’s Radio Operator. After nine months in the CCC, Frank enrolled at Montana State College (MSC) where he completed his freshman year before enlisting in the US Air Corps and receiving flight training. He later transferred to the Army. After basic training at Fort Roberts, he was commissioned as a 2nd Lieutenant and sent to the Philippines. He rose to the rank of 1st Lieutenant and served the last nine months of WWII in Manila.

After his discharge from the Army, Frank returned to MSC to continue his education and earn the degree of Bachelor of Science in Applied Science with major in Biology. It was at MSC that he met his future wife, Lois Hoyt. They began their life-long married adventure on June 12, 1949. They spent their honeymoon summer as fire spotters on a lookout tower in a National Forest in northern Montana.

Frank began his career in education teaching high school in Missoula, MT and continued his own education by achieving a Master of Arts in Education from Montana State University. Frank and Lois moved to California where he continued teaching science and mathematics at the secondary level until 1955. He set the stage for his major life’s work by further education-receiving a Ph.D. in Educational Administration and Higher Education from the University of California, Berkeley, in 1959. Subsequent to receiving his Ph.D., Frank served in California as Assistant Dean for Humboldt State College and Specialist in Higher Education with the California Coordinating Council for Higher Education.

Then, in 1968, Frank was recruited to serve as Executive Director for the Illinois Board of Regents System. The Board of Regents System initially had responsibility for Illinois State University and Northern Illinois University and subsequently established Sangamon State University (now part of the University of Illinois system). Frank retired from leading the Illinois Board of Regents after sixteen years and taught as Regency Professor of Higher Education at Illinois State University for three years. He was later called out of retirement to serve as Interim President of Sangamon State University for two months, and then as Chancellor of the Illinois Board of Regents during its final year of existence (1995-1996).

Frank and Lois were married for 72 wonderful years. He is survived by his wife Lois, his children: Linda (Dave) Funk, Jeanne (Greg) Bonk, David Matsler and Winfield Matsler, his grandchildren: David (Natalie) Bonk, Mark (Christi) Bonk, Will (Jamie) Bonk, step-granddaughter, Michele Jonsson Funk, and step-grandson, Ryan Funk, and a total of thirteen great-grandchildren and step-great-grandchildren.

Frank had a delightful sense of humor, loved family, music, and travel, and was involved in numerous civic and educational organizations. He was a long-time member of the Normal, Illinois Rotary Club.

Visitation at Unity Lutheran – Cross of Life Campus, 20700 West North Avenue in Brookfield, Wisconsin on Friday, August 6, 2021, from 10:00 AM -11:00 AM. Service at 11AM.