Frank W. Jackson ’55

Frank, an inventive gastroenterologist with an amazing range of curiosity and accomplishments, died Sept. 29, 2021, at home in Mechanicsburg, Pa. Besides an impressive list of medical achievements, he was famous for raising giant tomatoes, wonderful corn, intensely hot peppers, and fields of strawberries. He ran three marathons in his 60s, studied our galaxy, had a noted Civil War ancestor, and could wiggle his ears.

Frank was born June 23, 1933, in Pittsburgh, and he attended Peabody High Schoolthere. At Princeton he majored in biology, joined Charter Club, and participated in IAA basketball, softball, football, bowling, pool, and volleyball. His senior-year roommates included Jim Parks, Steb Chandor, Todd Terry, George Harris, Bill O’Brien, and Bill Frank. 

After Princeton Frank attended Johns Hopkins, completed additional training in internal medicine and gastroenterology at the University of Pennsylvania, and moved to Harrisburg. He was ceaselessly curious, which steered him into a wide range of projects, including a strong push for patient education and several leadership positions, including presidency of the state gastroenterology society.

Frank is survived by his wife, Ellen Danfield Jackson; five children, Toquaiah, Wilson, Monique, Quenby, and Bisque; and eight grandchildren. He was predeceased by his first wife, Joaquine, in 1998.