In the devastating political climate of today, it's comforting to remember such a compassionate, kind, hard-working, uncorrupted and incorruptible force like Frank. Thank you, Frank. We miss you.
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Today i am thinking of Frank with hopes his family and many loved ones, friends, and those whose lives he gave opportunity to, all have joyful memories and thinking of legacies. A year ago last week, Frank spoke at the Coalition for Open Government Sunshine awards and his message resonated in his honor this year. It hurt - but was impactful - to see the replay this week.
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I met Frank when our mutual friend Spider Burbank introduced me to him at a picnic for Frank's birthday in Woodland Park in 1984. Spider convinced Frank to hire me as a VISTA volunteer at FPA. It was my first job in Seattle after college and the first year that FPA developed and a grassroots fundraising campaign. Reagan had cut grants to nonprofits and FPA wanted to be more self sufficient. The campaign was a success and the job got me started in my early career as an activist and fundraiser. I cherish the memories of my time there and the people I knew and worked with. Frank was an amazing and inspiring leader and his loss is keenly felt. Much love to his family and loved ones.
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I wanted to let the chop family know, will Cravens and family were sad to hear about the loss of Frank. Our family have a long history and we appreciated Frank as a person very much.
Best wishes
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I didn't know him personally - only as a constituent. My most fun memory of him is during the district environmental caucus meetings during session. He would sometimes chat about and choose "the best Zoom background" of the week. It was just so frivolous and good-natured in the middle of the seriousness and time pressure.
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I didn't know him personally, but only as a constituent. The most fun memory I have was during district environmental caucus Zoom meetings during the session, he would chat about and choose "the best Zoom background" of the week. It was just so frivolous and good-natured in the midst of the seriousness.
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My name is Karen Scott previously, Karen Hammerquist. I worked at FPA in 1979 as the Welfare Advocate/Food Bank Coordinator. I was a smoker, married and had 2 little kids, and this was my first job in Seattle after transplanting from the Bay Area. Frank said to me, "Karen I would love to see you live as long a life as possible-- and you won't if you keep smoking those things. " He said he would pay me $500 if I quit. I was amazed and thought about it and did quit.(Fortunately, I was not a heavy smoker). I stayed quit for a while and started again to cheat. I was so guilty that I had not kept my word, as he had already paid me the $500! I then quit again, and stayed quit for ever. Thank you Frank Chopp for being a good friend, boss and of course mentor and risk taker, in so many ways. Karen
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Representative Chopp always listened to us teachers when we were in Olympia. He supported us in receiving a National Board Stipend and was a big proponent of education. I knew him as a great human being who was a real person, not someone who was too busy to listen to us or listened with half attention. He listened with his heart. He is sorely missed. My heart breaks for all those who love him.
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I was reading my UW Alumni Mag today, and when I came upon the entry about Frank's death, I first thought there was some mistake. Such a terrible loss. He and his wonderful wife Nancy Long were two of the people I admired most when I was active in the old 32nd District Democrats in the 1980s. Rest in peace, sweet and wonderful Frank. And, Nancy, I am so sorry.
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I had the honor to moderate a debate when Frank Chopp was challenged for his seat by Kshama Sawant. That was fun . ;-) A video of the event is still on line! (Easy to find, search with date (October 22, 2012) and add "Doric Lodge".) The Sawant people packed the place and didn't always behave very well. Frank never lost his cool.
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I first met Frank when I was working at Housing Washington, which was part of FPA at the time & later became LIHI. This would have been 1993. My most fond memory of Frank came a couple years later when I was at the Tenants Union. FPA was our fiscal sponsor, Frank was on our board & we were facing City funding cuts. I don’t remember the particulars, but staff didn’t like the position the Board & FPA was taking & I was volunteered to do a “warm & fuzzy” direct action with Frank, at his home, as the target. It was Valentine’s Day & I brought him heart shaped cookies with “SAVE TU,” in icing. My daughter- age 8 - was in tow. An ill-conceived strategy for sure, but I’ll never forget Frank took the cookies and said, “well, do you want to come in?” I declined, red in the face, cuz I felt like an idiot! But he was kind as heck ❤️
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I worked with Frank on legislative political campaigns in the 1990's. Frank was an inspiration to us all. I am running for local government office and will work on homelessness issues in his honor.
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My most heartfelt condolences once more for the great loss of Mr. Chopp. I just wanna say he will be dearly missed, specially at our gatherings with Our Reps and Legislators, when we come over to Olympia for Purple Presence, during our lobby days. I'll always remember him as a man with the desire to help others beyond measures. A true champion for the people! Rest in Paradise Mr. Chopp.
🤍🕊🌹
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It was an Honor to be included in the Celebration of Frank's life. Thank you for letting me attend. My condolences to your entire family. His will be a large pair of shoes to fill but the work has already begun and some how I know no one in his family will need extra socks to fill that space. With love from my son and I for a gift he made possible - we will strive to treat everyone we meet with respect, integrity, empathy, compassion, and inclusiveness never forgetting the kindness shown by those fighting for us that we may have never met.
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I first got to know Frank decades ago as a teenager through my father, Alan Castle, who passed away in January 2024. Frank and Alan rabble-roused together, causing some good trouble at community meetings, and won hard fought battles in Sand Point to secure housing and services for homeless vets and others. They adored each other!
I had the privilege of working alongside Frank for 7 years with Sharon Lee, Melinda Nichols, George Scarola, Jon Grant and others at LIHI advocating and securing funding and support for tiny home villages, permanent low income housing, and more. Among the countless ways Frank bettered lives, I will always remember his efforts to secure legislative support for stipends allowing 300 pre-apprentices to build 50 tiny homes for people experiencing homelessness, providing enhanced shelter and a stepping stone to permanent housing, while also creating career pathways and skills training for hundreds of young people across the state. It was also fun working with Frank at Fighting for the Majority as we raised campaign funding to win pro-LGBTQ equality Democratic majorities in the legislature and then grow those majorities. He gave the most barn burning speeches of anyone I knew.
Frank's relentless and creative work on housing, health care, hygiene services and more transformed thousands of lives, and yet he never cared about the credit and just wanted to get it done. His legacy will continue in the many lives he touched, including my own. I'm deeply grateful to have known him.
Sending love to Nancy, Narayan, Ellie and the whole family.
Josh
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Frank and I met when we entered the fourth class of Leadership Tomorrow in 1986. He was already an incredible leader and only grew in his leadership abilities from then on. Such a quick wit, positive spirit and generous man, coupled with a tenacious will and a warrior's heart. Our community is better for Frank's being in the world. We will miss him!
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Frank's passion for providing resources for low income Washingtonians will have a lasting legacy for decades to come. Gracias Frank!
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