Frank was born in Wichita, KS on February 23, 1935 to parents Joe E. and Theresa (Fiala) Otoupalik. At 88 years old, he went to Heaven on September 11, 2023 after a good, long life.
Frank grew up in Wichita, part of a large, multi-generational family, and as a young teen moved to Bryan, TX. After high school he attended Texas A&M University. You never met a prouder Aggie in your whole life. He had Texas A&M everything and proudly wore an Aggie hat wherever he went. He was also proud of his family, and proud of his Czech heritage.
He married Dorothy Mae Phillips on May 8, 1959, in Pueblo, CO. She preceded him in death in 2006. In 2011 he married Nyla, and together they enjoyed life in their later years.
Frank is survived by his wife, Nyla; and two daughters, Vickie Jo Huffor (Bill) in Woodland Park, CO, and Lisa Marie Warren in Colorado Springs; five grandchildren: Ian Mankowski (Darian) in Pueblo, CO, Billy Huffor (Janet) in Colorado Springs, CO, Kevin Huffor (Abby) in Divide, CO, J.L. Warren, and Eli Warren, both in Colorado Springs; and eight great-grand children: Addy, Braedon, Ella, Joseph, Rowan, Simone, Ryland, and Freya.
After graduating from Texas A&M, he was commissioned into the United States Army. He attained the rank of Captain and was honorably discharged in September 1968 after serving his term plus time in the Reserves. He went on to obtain a Masters in Public Health at the University of North Carolina and pursued a long career in that field, starting at the health department in Pueblo, CO and moving to Colorado Springs, CO to be a part of the El Paso County Department of Health, as Director of Environmental Health, for 30 years, retiring in January 1998. During the early part of his career he was the environmental health official for not only El Paso County, but also Fremont, Park, and Teller counties. For a short time he also taught microbiology at UCCS as an honorary professor.
Frank enjoyed the Colorado mountains in the cabin he dearly loved. He was an avid hunter in his earlier years, an expert fisherman, and a hiker who was a challenge to keep up with. Throughout his life he loved his dogs, and what a collection of mutts did he enjoy over the years. He left behind two, Dusty and Nugget. He did many hours volunteering as part of CSPD’s Senior Victims Assistance Team, and served as an Ambassador for Old Colorado City. He also was a volunteer on the Pikes Peak Credit Union Board of Directors for 32 years.
Entombment will be at Shrine of Remembrance, in the Gate of Heaven, Garden of Athena, next to Dorothy.
A memorial service will be held at Gateway Presbyterian Church, 731 Castle Rd., Colorado Springs, CO, on Friday, September 22, at 1:00 PM.
In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to the Humane Society of the Pikes Peak Region.
Mary Hafenrichter
18 Sep 2023I was so very sorry to hear about Frank.
He was such a nice guy.
We remember seeing him in Cripple Creek.
He enjoyed life.
Please know you have our thoughts & prayers.
Take care…
Mary & Herb Hafenrichter
Donna S-Scheer
18 Sep 2023Great Man, Thanks for giving me a start. I’ll be donating to dumb friends league here in Castle Rock in your honor. R.I.P.
Wavey Williams
18 Sep 2023What a shock to my soul to learn of the passing of my buddy Frank Otoupalik. Whenever we saw each other, it was also fun and laughter. It was just in May that I saw him and Nyla at the Health Department reunion. There we were comparing our ages and Frank won as being the oldest of the two of us. Of course, we laughed about that. When we departed from the reunion as always, I told Nyla to take care of Frank for me. And I would end it with…I know that’s a big order.
Frank my friend I will miss you and the laughter we shared.
Rest in peace.
Anonymous
18 Sep 2023I am so sorry for myself that I won’t see you and your family and your furry friends walking together down my street anymore. I remember seeing you at our local King Soopers and you told me you had walked there from your house! I first met you when you were still at the health department and that was, for both of us, a long time ago. I have missed seeing you these past weeks and was starting to worry, and at our ages I guess that is to be expected. But I don’t have to like it. And I do not. To Nyla, and your entire family and all your furry and other animal friends, my love to you all. Those that we love never leave us.
Mary Haukom
19 Sep 2023I am very sad to hear of Frank’s passing. I feel fortunate to have known Frank all of these years. I am also glad to have been able to spend time visiting with Frank and Nyla at the Health Department reunion in May. Frank was a good friend, wonderful man and will be greatly missed.
Al Rohr
19 Sep 2023Frank, Becky and I will surely miss you. So will Rick and Ron and Ken and all the “County” boys. Say hi to Merv for us.
I was introduced to your special brand of humor at the planning department and you just got funnier and more enjoyable through the years. We’ll miss meeting for beers. So many memories at Rick’s BBQ, with Nyla and in Old Colorado CIty. We are all better for having you as a lifelong friend.
Patrick and Sandra Smith
20 Sep 2023We are neighbors of Frank, Nyla and his daughter Lisa. Our deepest condolences to all his family. He will be missed around the neighborhood; his upbeat spirit and positive attitude. He was a very good man! We were going to send flowers but will donate to the Humane Society per his wishes. God bless you all!