Dr. Donald Frantz passed away in Lethbridge on Sept. 20, 2021 at the age of 87.
Frantz was an assistant professor in Indigenous Studies (then Native American Studies) and a member of the U of L Senate from 1982 to 1984. In a 1988 article in The Meliorist, he said he came to the U of L after being contacted by Dr. Leroy Little Bear (BASc ’72, DASc ’04), who was searching for a linguist who had done research on the Blackfoot language. While at the U of L, he worked on his Blackfoot-English dictionary and hired Norma Russell (BASc (BA) ’82, BEd ’89) as an assistant. The dictionary was first published in 1989 and is now in its third edition as of 2017. Frantz wrote a companion book on Blackfoot grammar, which was first published in 1991.
Frantz was also an accomplished triathlete who competed in more than 150 triathlons during his lifetime. In 2004, he competed in the World Triathlon Championships in Funchal, Madeira Island, Portugal, where he placed ninth in the 70 to 74 age group. That same year, he placed second (out of three athletes in his age group) in the Ironman Canada Triathlon.
Frantz was originally from Alameda, California. In addition to his career as a distinguished linguist and professor, Frantz was a member of the Coast Guard and missionary translator. More information can be found in his obituary.
Source: (adapted from) Condolence Notice — Professor Emeritus Dr. Donald Frantz | Notice Board (ulethbridge.ca) and Obituary for Donald Gene Frantz | Evergreen Funeral Home (evergreenfh.ca)