Resident of Greenbrae

It is with broken hearts that we announce the passing of Frank Woolard. On May 6, 2024, Frank was diagnosed with Glioblastoma and he lost his battle on November 4th -not quite 6 months later.

Frank was born on September 9, 1948 to Francis X. Woolard and Gladys June Woolard (nee DeHaan) in Oceanside, California. He graduated from the University of Hawaii at Manoa with his PhD in chemistry under Dr. Richard Moore. His thesis focused on the synthesis of marine natural products from samples he collected himself while diving on the reefs. He completed postdoctoral chemistry studies under Dr. Henry Rapoport at the University of California, Berkeley. His work in chemistry continued in industry at various companies including Stauffer Chemical, ICI, Zeneca, Discovery Partners, Inc., and Amyris. His work encompassed agricultural products, bio jet fuel, medicinal products (including a less-costly route to the antimalarial drug artemisinin), and essential cosmetic additives (including squalane).

Frank will always be remembered as a loving husband, father, and brother who kept us laughing with his Double Dutch, spoonerisms, and wry sense of humor. Frank was a surfer, diver, outrigger canoe paddler, and marksman on the US Olympic Training Team. He loved spending time at the family cabin in Twain Harte, skiing in the winter and stand-up paddle boarding on the lake in the summer. He also traveled the world, most recently returning in March from the trip of a lifetime to Antarctica.

After retiring from his career as a PhD chemist, Frank focused his time flying his Bonanza and participated with Civil Air Patrol, Marin Sheriff's Air Patrol, Gnoss Field Community Association, and Angel Flight. He spent the last 5 years building his own Van's RV12. Frank could be found almost every day in his hanger -if he wasn't flying.

Frank is survived by his wife, Kathie, son Andy, daughter Katie, and son-in-law Ethan McGowan. In Oregon, he leaves behind his sisters, Jennifer Woolard and Lisa Cardens (Rich), brother Mark, sister-in-law Molly Woolard, niece Holly, and nephews Todd and John. He was preceeded in death by his father, mother, and brother Curt Woolard.

Frank's memorial service will be held on Friday, January 24, 2025 at 10 am at the Presbyterian Church of Novato, 710 Wilson Avenue, Novato, CA. Following the service, there will be light snacks, coffee, and tea in Trevitt Hall. In lieu of flowers, donations to Angel Flight or the Gnoss Field Community Association would make Frank smile.

He is now soaring with the angels.