Howard Frank

HOWARD FRANK (1941-2017) Dr. Howard Frank, inducted in 2013 as a “Pioneer” to the Internet Hall of Fame for fundamental contributions to the development of the Internet, and recipient of the Department of Defense’s highest civil honor, a Presidential Distinguished Service Medal, died Monday, May 1, 2017, of complications resulting from a bacterial infection. He was 75. In 1970, Frank started his entrepreneurial career with the founding of Network Analysis Corporation, following his tenure as Assistant Professor of Engineering and Computer Science at the University of California, Berkeley. After serving as a special consultant to the Executive Office of the President and other governmental agencies, he continued his work in telecommunications as President and CEO of Contel Information Systems, a subsidiary of Contel Corporation (1969-1985) and Founder, CEO and President of Network Management Inc. ("NMI") (1985-1990). Frank then left his corporate career to again contribute his expertise in information technology to the government, as Director of the Information Technology Office, Defense Advanced Research Project Agency ("DARPA"), and Founding Director of the Defense Department's Advanced Information Technology Services Joint Program (1994-1997). The final stage of his long career began in 1997 with his appointment as Dean of the Robert H. Smith School of Business, University of Maryland, College Park. He retired from the Business School faculty as full Professor in 2015. Known by all as a strong leader with vision and tremendous energy, as Dean, Dr. Frank incorporated technology into every aspect of the University's curriculum and dramatically grew the school's national rank and reputation to a top 10 U.S. business school. Over his career, he wrote two textbooks, was member of dozens of editorial and corporate boards, contributed hundreds of technical papers to academic journals and books, and was a regular featured speaker and expert commentator on matters relating to information technologies and telecommunications. He also was a renowned avid collector and fan of fantasy and science fiction visual art and literature, holding one of the world's largest private collections, and co-authored two compendium art books with his wife, Jane, featuring selections from the collection. Dr. Frank is survived by his wife, Jane Frank, of 52 years, three children (David, Laura, and Erica), and four grandchildren (David Douglas, Jr., Jennifer, Eve, Sarah). We invite you to share condolences for Howard Frank in our Guest Book. In lieu of flowers, a donation in memory of Howard Frank can be made online in support of the Howard Frank Endowed Scholarship Fund at the University of Maryland, established upon his retirement from the Robert H. Smith School of Business. Online contributions can be made at http://giving.umd.edu/giving/fund.php?name=howard-frank-endowed-scholarship-fund Checks, made out to the UMCP Foundation, with a memo line for the 21-40335 can be sent to: Office of Gift Acceptance 4603 Calvert Road College Park, MD 20740-3421