Francis J. (Frank) Kerins died peacefully surrounded by loving family members on October 2, 2014 after a brief illness. He was born in Brooklyn, New York on March 23, 1927. He received a bachelor’s degree from St. Francis College in New York, a master’s degree from St. Louis University and a doctorate from the University of Denver. He served on active duty with the United States Army during the Korean War. His career was dedicated to his passion for education. He taught philosophy at Loretta Heights College in Denver and higher education at the University of Denver. He served as a college president for 22 years, including Carroll College, in Helena, from 1974 through 1989, as well as Northern Montana College in Havre. He was awarded honorary doctorates by several colleges and universities.
Frank was active in a wide range of educational and community agencies and was chairman of the board of the Council of Independent Colleges, the Association of Catholic Colleges and Universities, the Northern Commission of Colleges, the United Way, the Helena Symphony Society, the Helena Rotary Club, and other organizations. He served as a board member of various groups including the American Council for Education, Western Interstate Commission on Higher Education and the Montana Committee for the Humanities. In 1987, at a convocation of the Association of Catholic Colleges and Universities in New Orleans, he was privileged to address Pope John Paul II on behalf of American Catholic Higher Education.
His family and friends loved and admired him. His quick wit, warm smile and caring nature brightened everyone’s lives. His wisdom and generosity were cherished by those who were blessed to know him. His love of learning and knowledge were evident throughout his life. He loved to read, travel, and share stories on just about any topic. He had a strong faith and lived his life according to his beliefs. He was guided by God’s will and led by example. When giving thanks in prayer, often over a meal, he encouraged his friends and family to always be mindful of the needs of others. He was a good man.
He is survived by his wife of 63 years, Mary Costigan Kerins, seven children; Mary Ellen Hayes (James) of Champaign, IL, John (Eva) of Neenah, WI, Donna Zelinski (Joseph) of Newark, IL, Edward (Peggy) of Helena, Jim of Helena, Frank Jr. of Bozeman and Joseph of Whitehall as well as 22 grandchildren, five great grandchildren and many nephews and nieces. He was preceded in death by his parents and seven brother and sisters.
A Vigil service will be 6:00 p.m. Monday, October 6, 2014 at Anderson Stevenson Wilke Funeral Home, 3750 N. Montana Avenue. Funeral Mass will be 12:00 p.m. Tuesday, October 7, 2014 at the Cathedral of St. Helena. Rite of Committal service will follow at the Montana State Veterans Cemetery at Ft. Harrison. A reception will be in the lower level of Carroll College in the Cube. Memorials in Dr. Kerins name are suggested to the Mary Costigan-Kerins Scholarship Fund C/O Carroll College 1601 Benton Avenue Helena, Montana 59601 or to a charity of the donor’s choice. Please visit www.aswfuneralhome.com to offer the family a condolence or to share a memory of Francis.
Service Schedule
Vigil
6:00 p.m.
Monday October 6, 2014
Anderson Stevenson Wilke Funeral Home
3750 N. Montana Ave
Helena, Montana 59602
Funeral Mass
12:00 p.m.
Tuesday October 7, 2014
Cathedral of St. Helena
530 N. Ewing
Helena, Montana 59601
Rite of Committal
Montana State Veterans Cemetery
Tuesday October 7, 2014
Montana State Veterans Cemetery
Fort Harrison, Montana 59636
Service Schedule
Vigil
6:00 p.m.
Monday October 6, 2014
Anderson Stevenson Wilke Funeral Home
3750 N. Montana Ave
Helena, Montana 59602
Funeral Mass
12:00 p.m.
Tuesday October 7, 2014
Cathedral of St. Helena
530 N. Ewing
Helena, Montana 59601
Rite of Committal
Montana State Veterans Cemetery
Tuesday October 7, 2014
Montana State Veterans Cemetery
Fort Harrison, Montana 59636
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Frank Kromkowski says
Thanks be to God for the good life and work of Frank Kerins. He was my friend during the years we were both at Carroll College (he as President 1974-1989 , me as a Philosophy teacher 1972-77) and in all the years since then when we both lived in Helena. He showed me many, many kindnesses to me over the years. I was fortunate to teach a class together with him during one of the years we were both at Carroll College — and I will always remember him with fondness as a kind, compassionate and intelligent man.
Glen Cuchine says
My thoughts and prayers go out to Mary and all of Frank’s family. Carroll has lost a loyal and devoted friend.
Michael Shapiro says
I didn’t get to spend much time with Frank. Mary and I got to spend some time with him in Australia. In that little time, he taught me important things. Some of those are the things you learn when someone who carries himself with deep warmth and inner dignity. It seems to me that these are things that can’t be feigned and are revealed in little ways.
I’m not sure exactly what we were talking about that clued him into this, but somewhere in the conversation he knew a book I needed to read, My Name is Asher Lev. It was a small thing, but it had a real impact on the way I think about things. I wonder if I’ve done anything that useful for my students.
I will think of him with warmth and admiration.
Joanna Thamke says
I’ve been attending Rotary for almost two years and enjoyed seeing Frank Kerins at the meetings. He always seemed to have a kind word and warm smile. His presence will be greatly missed.