Uploaded September 2024 | Updated September 2026, 2 hours ago
Memorial service for Frank Alan Coombs (1938β2024) at the First Unitarian Church of Salt Lake City on Saturday, August 24, 2024.
ORDER OF SERVICE
00:00 Ringing of the Bell
00:54 Opening Words & Chalice Lighting β Rev. J Sylvan
05:43 Meditation β Rev. J Sylvan
13:06 π΅ Meditation Response: "Someone To Watch Over Meβ by George & Ira Gershwin β David Owens, piano
16:36 Introduction to Remembrances β Rev. J Sylvan
17:29 Tim Chambless, friend
22:06 Becky Heal, friend
28:41 π΅ Alan's verse from "Modern Unitarian" music video
29:34 Carol Schuster, daughter
35:34 Jim Coombs, son
45:52 π΅ Interlude: "The Last Farewell" by Roger Whittaker & Ronald A. Webster β David Owens, piano
49:13 David Kaplan, grandson
55:35 Michelle Coombs, granddaughter
1:00:12 π΅ Interlude: "Bethena" by Scott Joplin β David Owens, piano
1:01:25 More Remembrances by Alan's colleagues, neighbors, friends, and family
1:17:22 Benediction β Rev. J Sylvan
1:19:37 π΅ Postlude: "The Graceful Ghost" by William Bolcom β David Owens, piano
Frank Alan Coombs, age 85, of Salt Lake City, died Friday, February 2, 2024, of natural causes.
Alan was born September 26, 1938, to Lewis Madison and Ruth Virginia Stokes Coombs. He grew up in Lawrence, Kansas, graduating from Lawrence High School as Student Council President in 1956. He entered the University of Kansas on a Navy ROTC scholarship, joined Delta Upsilon fraternity, majored in political science, and graduated in 1960. At K.U. he met the love of his life, Marjorie Jean Williamson. Upon graduation, he served the next three years on active duty in the U.S. Navy (Supply Corps), primarily aboard the submarine tender, USS Orion. He and Margie were married on July 8, 1961.
In 1963, he began graduate study in history at the University of Illinois (Champaign-Urbana), earning his M.A. in 1964 and his Ph.D. in 1968. During that time, his daughter Carol and son Jim were born. He then joined the University of Utah History Department faculty where he taught over the next 36 years (save for a one-year exchange professorship at the University of Hawaii-Hilo in 1977-78). He was also active for over 50 years in the First Unitarian Church of Salt Lake City, including serving a year as President of the Board of Trustees.
Following his retirement in 2004, he and Margie traveled extensively, visiting more than sixty countries on six continents and every state in the United States. He often reflected on his full and rewarding life and the multitude of friends he would leave behind upon his death. Alan was beloved by all who knew him for his intellect, decency, compassion, wisdom, and the wonderful and wry sense of humor he passed down to us all. We will fondly remember him for the love he shared of music, sports, camping trips, critical thinking, history, politics, and always-insightful conversation.
He was preceded in death by his parents and wife of over 57 years, Marjorie. He is survived by his older brother Fred (Nancy), his children: Carol L. Schuster (Brian) with grandchildren David (Elizabeth) with great-grandson Solomon, Daniel, and Emily Kaplan, and step-grandchildren, Shoshana with step-great-granddaughter Kayla, Galya, and Raphael (Sarah) Schuster; and James A. Coombs with grandchildren Michelle and Christopher. In lieu of flowers, donations to First Unitarian Church's Endowment Fund or the donor's favorite charity would be appreciated.
Memorial service for Frank Alan Coombs (1938β2024) at the First Unitarian Church of Salt Lake City on Saturday, August 24, 2024.
ORDER OF SERVICE
00:00 Ringing of the Bell
00:54 Opening Words & Chalice Lighting β Rev. J Sylvan
05:43 Meditation β Rev. J Sylvan
13:06 π΅ Meditation Response: "Someone To Watch Over Meβ by George & Ira Gershwin β David Owens, piano
16:36 Introduction to Remembrances β Rev. J Sylvan
17:29 Tim Chambless, friend
22:06 Becky Heal, friend
28:41 π΅ Alan's verse from "Modern Unitarian" music video
29:34 Carol Schuster, daughter
35:34 Jim Coombs, son
45:52 π΅ Interlude: "The Last Farewell" by Roger Whittaker & Ronald A. Webster β David Owens, piano
49:13 David Kaplan, grandson
55:35 Michelle Coombs, granddaughter
1:00:12 π΅ Interlude: "Bethena" by Scott Joplin β David Owens, piano
1:01:25 More Remembrances by Alan's colleagues, neighbors, friends, and family
1:17:22 Benediction β Rev. J Sylvan
1:19:37 π΅ Postlude: "The Graceful Ghost" by William Bolcom β David Owens, piano
Frank Alan Coombs, age 85, of Salt Lake City, died Friday, February 2, 2024, of natural causes.
Alan was born September 26, 1938, to Lewis Madison and Ruth Virginia Stokes Coombs. He grew up in Lawrence, Kansas, graduating from Lawrence High School as Student Council President in 1956. He entered the University of Kansas on a Navy ROTC scholarship, joined Delta Upsilon fraternity, majored in political science, and graduated in 1960. At K.U. he met the love of his life, Marjorie Jean Williamson. Upon graduation, he served the next three years on active duty in the U.S. Navy (Supply Corps), primarily aboard the submarine tender, USS Orion. He and Margie were married on July 8, 1961.
In 1963, he began graduate study in history at the University of Illinois (Champaign-Urbana), earning his M.A. in 1964 and his Ph.D. in 1968. During that time, his daughter Carol and son Jim were born. He then joined the University of Utah History Department faculty where he taught over the next 36 years (save for a one-year exchange professorship at the University of Hawaii-Hilo in 1977-78). He was also active for over 50 years in the First Unitarian Church of Salt Lake City, including serving a year as President of the Board of Trustees.
Following his retirement in 2004, he and Margie traveled extensively, visiting more than sixty countries on six continents and every state in the United States. He often reflected on his full and rewarding life and the multitude of friends he would leave behind upon his death. Alan was beloved by all who knew him for his intellect, decency, compassion, wisdom, and the wonderful and wry sense of humor he passed down to us all. We will fondly remember him for the love he shared of music, sports, camping trips, critical thinking, history, politics, and always-insightful conversation.
He was preceded in death by his parents and wife of over 57 years, Marjorie. He is survived by his older brother Fred (Nancy), his children: Carol L. Schuster (Brian) with grandchildren David (Elizabeth) with great-grandson Solomon, Daniel, and Emily Kaplan, and step-grandchildren, Shoshana with step-great-granddaughter Kayla, Galya, and Raphael (Sarah) Schuster; and James A. Coombs with grandchildren Michelle and Christopher. In lieu of flowers, donations to First Unitarian Church's Endowment Fund or the donor's favorite charity would be appreciated.
