Frank L. Young

Dr. Frank L. Young was the former head of the engineering program at the Lakeland Campus of the University of South Florida, teaching there from 1987 until his retirement in August of 2010. He entered the U.S. Naval Academy in 1946. After graduation in 1950, he was commissioned as a Lieutenant in The U.S. Air Force. Completing pilot training in 1951, he served three years in the United Kingdom flying this country's first jet bombers during the cold war. Returning to the U.S. in 1956, He entered the Graduate Program in the U.S. Air Force Institute of Technology, graduating in 1958 with a Master's Degree in Aeronautical Engineering. His first assignment as an engineer was to the USAF School of Aviation Medicine where he participated in projects related to manned space flight with the new NASA organization. In 1961, he entered the University of Texas in Austin to pursue a PhD in Aerospace Engineering. In 1968 he was assigned to combat crew training and survival training and deployment to Vietnam. During training, promotion to Colonel resulted in a reassignment to be Director of Requirements in Headquarters, Seventh Air Force in Saigon. In 1970, he joined the Air Force Aeronautical Systems Division, ASD Plans Directorate; 1972 to Chief, Flight Control Division of the A.F. Flight Dynamics Lab; in 1973 to ASD Deputy for Engineering; 1974, to Washington to be Chief, Science and Technology Division, DCS Research and Development, HQ U.S. Air Force, Responsible for all Air Force Lab research and development programs. After retirement from the Air Force in 1977, Dr. Young joined the Piper Aircraft Corp. at Lakeland, FL as their Assistant Chief Engineer for Programs. In 1986 he was reassigned as Chief Engineer Technical at Vero Beach Division. He left Piper in 1987 and returned to Lakeland, and joined the University of South Florida in the first fall semester of USF Lakeland Campus. Born February 24, 1928 in Omaha, Nebraska, Dr. Young died Saturday, March 19, 2016 at the age of 88 in Winter Haven, Florida. He was preceded in death by his wife of 62 years, Joan, and is survived by his 4 children, David (Josephine) of Cary, NC, Carol Brown (Charlie-deceased) of Winter Haven, FL, Kenneth (Pam) of Littleton, CO and Richard of Winter Haven, FL. He also leaves behind 5 grandchildren, and 4 great-grandchildren. The family will receive friends from 10:00am till 11:00am, Wednesday, March 23, 2016 at Oak Ridge Funeral Care in Winter Haven. Funeral Services will follow at 11:00am. Condolences may be sent at www.oakridgefuneralcare.com