Richard G 'Dick' Van Frank

Through 2024

I was an Army officer (Armor) for two years seventeen months of which I spent in Korea. I came home in 1960 and went into the paving and grading business. In 1976 I dusted off my old law degree, passed the Calif., Bar and sold the business. I practiced privately for two years and did not attract enough clients. I became a Deputy District Attorney in Riverside County focusing on the prosecution of Child Abusers and sexual assault. We cross trained with police officers, medical personnel and mental health professionals. Along with a number of other DDA's from around the state we decided that we would become well enough versed that the tragedy of McMartin never occurred on our watch. After about nine years I was appointed a Municipal Court Judge and two and one half years later elevated to Superior Court (Riverside County). At the time of retirement my wife and I lived in Rancho Mirage. We have retired to Southern New Mexico which we love. It has an all year climate.

I play golf, exercise, including weights, read and study spanish. We have traveled around the State of New Mexico and know it like the back of our hand. It is still relatively unpopulated and unspoiled.
Two years ago we travel trailered through the Eastern Half of Canada. We highly recommend Quebec and the Maritime Provinces. The parks are like resorts. Crime is low. The folks relaxed and friendly. This March we will take a fifteen day Riverboat Cruise up the Rhine from Antwerp to Basel, Switzerland. Of course we have spent a fair amount of time in Mexico and visited Puerto Rico.