October 11, 1932 – April 25, 2020
It is with a very heavy heart we inform you of the passing of our father, Frank J. DeSantis, CAE, Executive Director of the WSAUA for 53 years and Executive Director Emeritus for 2 years.
Some of you may have known him well during the years. In 1965, he and his, wife, Eileen were selected for the management of the meetings and administration under the suggestion of the late John W. Dorsey, MD and have kept the WSAUA close to their hearts ever since. He truly loved managing and working with all the wonderful leaders and members in the Section. In the earlier years, some of the officers stayed at our home and Frank and Eileen were guests in their home as well. He valued his relationship and friendships with all of those in the Western Section and considered them his “other family.” In fact, Past President Joe Presti Jr. wrote about the strong ties and sense of family he also experienced between his parents, Joseph Presti Sr. and mother Angelina with Frank and Eileen in the very early days which was published in the Mainstream Newsletter in 2018 with photos of both couples together from the mid-1960s displayed on the cover, a truly remarkable and ever lasting connection.
As many of you know, he was also the President and CEO of Harbor UCLA Research and Education Institute (REI) for 45 years, (now known as LA Biomed/ Lundquist Institute) in Torrance, California. Frank worked with many physicians but felt that urologists were the greatest, most fun doctors he ever worked with and decided to manage more urology organizations than any other specialty. He was instrumental in developing the 10 districts within the Section and the bylaws, financial policies, committees and meetings management for continued growth of the WSAUA. He was asked to set up the initial AUA Office of Education in Colorado, then in Houston. In grateful recognition of all his development as a consultant for the AUA National Office, the Office of Education and the AUA Annual Meetings in the 70s, Frank was bestowed the prestigious Presidential Citation in 2011 at the AUA’s Annual Banquet in Washington DC. Frank was also honored at the Western Section on several occasions and was always grateful for the privilege to serve the members. All of his many plaques are hanging prominently in our office as a reminder of his years of service.
The last annual meeting he attended was at Indian Wells in 2015 and the Program Committee Meeting in July 2019. He was happy to return to the meetings and reunite with many friends. Frank is especially proud that the Section is in good hands with his wife Eileen and three of his children, Kathy, Chris and Jeannie who continue the management of the Western Section.
Recently, Frank had been experiencing challenges with breathing and congestive heart failure. On April 6 he was sent to the hospital for 10 days. Because of pandemic rules, the family was unable to visit and provide the extra care and comfort that he really needed. Frank was released in a weakened state and in obvious decline. To our distress we were again unable to comfort him as much as he needed in a private elder care recovery home. A few days later, Frank made his transition on Saturday morning, April 25 at the age of 87.
If you knew Frank personally, you would remember him for his gregarious personality, work ethic, attention to details, and love of Italian culture and food. Frank’s legacy is the spirit of camaraderie, collegiality and fun in the Western Section that members often say is what they love about it. It is has been our honor to continue what our Dad wanted to keep alive. Here at our office in Santa Ana, we truly miss our father’s lively spirit, wisdom, and his love of family.
With much love and appreciation,
Eileen, Kathy, Chris and Jeannie
DeSantis Management Group.