Frank Edward Sternberg

He joined the Navy as a young man, completed one tour and did not reenlist as he realized he’d rather be combing the beach for sand dollars and installing glass alongside many of his lifelong friends and family instead. He lived, worked and explored every inch of Southern California, for most of his life.

A lifetime motorcycle enthusiast, he was on two wheels since early childhood. Friends and family knew that if Frankie was missing it was highly likely he was off riding a bike of some sort. Be it motocross antics as a daredevil young man, or his beloved Harley’s in the majority of his later years, he never lost his love of feeling the wind in his hair, and bugs blasting his face whilst flying down the highway. Often seen with a lady, daughter or granddaughter sitting behind him, holding on for dear life but knowing he’d somehow keep them safe on the road. A trust strangely given out of pure love and benefit of the doubt, to the man fond of joking about “all the bumps on the head he’d taken back before that darn helmet law” to make us all laugh cry.

Frank was forever trying to help or make a person belly laugh, be it a friend, family or stranger. There wasn’t a person alive he couldn’t carry a conversation with once upon a time, and he leaves behind him an incredibly long legacy of jokes from silly to dark, and memories that are raw and dear both.

Frank was married multiple times and preceded each in death. Each wife and child of his, will lovingly and begrudgingly think of him fondly or not until the end of time. We believe he’d be ok with either outcome, as long as he was remembered with at least a bittersweet smile or a laugh or cry. There are so many of us, now sharing his tales and adventures and doing much of all three. Until the end, family and friends, throughout the pain and confusion he both caused and endured, know this man loved most of you to pieces. He couldn’t help himself not to. His forever playful yet “can do” attitude, creativity, poetry and sheer heart left an impression on this earth that will not easily be erased.

Frank Edward Sternberg is preceded in death by both his biological parents and beloved foster parents, and his brother Mark Sternberg; and leaves mourning in his absence, his brother Ron Sternberg; his sisters Bea Barker(m.Sternberg) & Ellen Fitzpatrick(m.Sternberg); his daughters, Tiana Lewis(m.Sternberg), & Sarah Vanderpool(m.Sternberg); and his 7 Grandchildren; Kelsey, Shaun, Alyssa, Delilah, Madelyn, Lincoln & Hudson in birth order. If life were fair, they’d each have gotten to experience him in his prime instead of most being born so recently as to never have had that experience. He spent the last few years of his life exploring the deserts of Arizona, and loved a good camping trip no matter the location. Frank’s final ride (and fight against cancer) ended in Las Vegas, Nevada on April 25, 2022. He will be forever remembered in our hearts.