Frank Bunch

Frank Laurence Lesley Bunch, Jr. was born in Glendale, California, on December 19, 1942, to Frank Laurence Lesley Bunch, Sr. and Elnora Pauline Sweeney, and lived a very charmed and vibrant life. Growing up in Southern California during the rock and roll era of the 1950s, Frank fell in love with music and learned to play the guitar, piano, and accordion. He attended Flintridge Preparatory School in La Cañada Flintridge, California, and then trekked across the country to attend The Lawrenceville School in Lawrenceville, New Jersey. There, he excelled as a three-sport athlete in football, track, and baseball.

At Lawrenceville, Frank became one of the greatest high school football players of his time, earning two All-State High School Football honors and a First Team High School All-American recognition alongside legends like Joe Namath and Dick Butkus. His talent took him to Stanford University, where he played fullback for the Cardinals and joined the Reserve Officers' Training Corps. However, his true calling at Stanford was meeting his future wife, Pamelia Ann Myers (Ann), who wowed him at first glance. After graduating from Stanford in Political Science, Frank married Ann in Los Angeles, California on August 14, 1965.

After his marriage to Ann and despite being drafted by the National Football League out of college, Frank decided instead to join the Army and serve his country. He was deployed to Fort Knox and then to South Korea, where he patrolled and protected the South Korean border from North Korea as a First Lieutenant Tank Commander.

After his honorable discharge, Frank returned home to Ann, and they welcomed their first child, Tiffany in 1967. Frank worked for his father’s sandblasting company in Los Angeles, where he utilized his artistic talents to design local signage for businesses. During this time, Frank and Ann were also baptized into The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in November 1969 and later sealed as a family in the Los Angeles temple on January 30, 1971. The Bunch family continued to grow with the births of John and Christopher in 1969 and 1970. 

Seeking better opportunities for his family, Frank completed premedical studies at Occidental College and attended medical school at Northwestern University in Chicago, Illinois. During this time in 1975, their youngest child, Michael, was born. As he was older than the average medical student and a father of 4 children, Frank’s fellow medical students lovingly nicknamed him “Grandpa.” 

Frank then made his way back to the East Coast for his residency in orthopedics at Saint Vincent’s Hospital in Worcester, Massachusetts. After his graduation, Frank practiced as an orthopedic surgeon in Boston, Massachusetts, for 20 years, where he was adored by his patients for his down-to-earth and humble bedside manner. Frank also served as a team physician for The Boston Celtics, The Boston Ballet, and the 1994 World Cup. Later in his career, he returned to California, practicing in Hollister, where he served as Chief of Surgery and worked into his early seventies before retiring.

In retirement, Frank devotedly cared for Ann after she suffered a devastating stroke, staying by her bedside until she passed away in October 2019. At the time of her passing, Frank and Ann had been married for 54 years. 

Frank was known for his warm and loving personality, always ready to lend a hand and share his zest for life. His stories, wood carvings, drawings, music, Mexican cooking, and radiant smile will be deeply missed. Frank was adored by the medical professionals at Symbii who cared for him in his final years and the family wishes to thank them for their dedication to and love for Frank. We especially want to acknowledge Tim and Autumn for all that they have each done for Frank and his family. 

Frank is survived and missed by his sister, Charlene Derosier, and her family; his four children, Tiffany (Brian) Eastley, John (Megan) Bunch, Chris (Maria) Bunch, and Michael (Nichole) Bunch; 16 grandchildren, Sarah (Alec), David (Sariah), Connor (Nina), Bailey, Lauren (Sean), Cameron (Matt), Garrett, James (Leah), Colton, Morgan, Jackson, Gavin, Audrey, Patrick, Mason, and Juliet; and four great-grandchildren. Frank's legacy of love, kindness, and dedication will live on in the hearts of all who know him.

Funeral services to celebrate Frank’s life will be held on Saturday, July 13, 2024, at 2:00 p.m. at the Mill Shadow Ward building, 1275 W. 200 N. Flint Street, Kaysville, UT with a viewing preceding the services from 12:45 to 1:45 p.m. at the church. The funeral service will also be broadcast and a link will be available on this page at approximately 1:45 p.m. prior to the service. Graveside service and burial will be held Monday, July 15th at 10:00 a.m. at the Utah Veterans Cemetery located at 17111 S. Camp Williams Rd., Bluffdale, UT.