Francisco Zaldivar Obituary

Hilarious, brilliant, loving, and cheeky, till the end, Frank Zaldivar transcended this world following a near 16-year valiant battle with multiple myeloma and amyloidosis. He passed peacefully at home as he desired, surrounded by loved ones, with reggae music playing softly, his pups under his bed, and free of pain. To know him was to love him. Frank easily won you over with his magnetic personality, beautiful grin, deep thoughts, infectious laugh, and epic humor. There wasn't a word he couldn't invent and persuade you that it was real, or a yarn that he couldn't spin convincingly. He rose from humble beginnings in a closeknit Mexican family of seven children from a small farming town in Gilroy, to become a highly respected scientist, educator, and mentor. Being the oldest boy in a traditional family came with both responsibility and privilege. He was as adept at setting an example as he was at getting away with things, according to his siblings. Growing up, Frank had fond memories of all nine members of his family driving around in their old two-toned station wagon, vacationing, and energetically celebrating the holidays. Rosa and Francisco Sr. instilled strong values. Frank attended St. Mary's Elementary School and Palma High School. In junior college, his love for science exploded, and he received a prestigious medical internship. In 1984, he transferred to UCI where he received his bachelor's degree in biological science and held leadership roles in the UCI Newman Club and the Chicanos for Community Medicine (CCM) Club. He created life-long bonds at UCI, and, over the years, the family's esteemed friendship circle grew to include folks from the children's sports' families, respective work environments, annual camping trips, the neighborhood, other countries, and cherished compadres.
Frank went on to receive his doctoral degree in biomedical science. Accolades highlighted his career. His recognitions included a prestigious post doctorate fellowship at CHOC from the NIH, a myriad of NIH grants and honors, commendations from mayors, and the 2016 UCI ICTS Translational Research Award. Frank made significant contributions to the study of AIDS, diabetes, and pediatric exercise science. The results of one of his studies, the NIH funded Project Healthy, were published in the New England Journal of Medicine, and accentuated how public schools could address type 2 diabetes in the Latino Community. After CHOC, Frank returned to work at UCI. According to Dr. Dan Cooper, UCI Distinguished Professor (Pediatrics) and Associate Director UCI ICTS and Dr. Shlomit Radom-Aizik, Professor of Pediatrics and Executive Director of PERC, "Dr. Zaldivar was a beloved leader and pioneer in UCI's national ascendancy as a powerhouse in clinical translational science. He successfully left his indelible mark in two UCI entities, serving as director for the ICTS Biorepository Core and the PERC Community Outreach and Education Program, as well as the Flow Cytometry Program. Dr. Zaldivar's door was always open...Frank was also an enthusiastic and tireless advocate for outreach, education, and collaboration..." To honor Dr. Zaldivar, The Madison Park Santa Ana Community renamed the volunteer organization that he co-founded and co-lead with his UCI friend and colleague, Jose Rea, to the Dr. Francisco Zaldivar Aspire Learning Mentor & Achieve (ALMA) Science Academy and Mentorship Pipeline. The ALMA program promoted a passion for STEM and a healthier lifestyle. At ALMA, Frank had a talent for explaining science to children in a manner that was understandable and relatable. Over the years, ALMA students and mentors have benefited from increased career and education opportunities. Dr. Zaldivar also volunteered at several other non-profit organizations and events, including, community health fairs, AIDS Walk, the St. Joachim youth group (where he and Tracey cemented their friendship), the Relay for Life, the CHOC Walk, and the RED CROSS. For Frank, living a life of service was the true root of happiness.
When we close our eyes, we shall remember Frank playing the Loteria with his family (intentionally mispronouncing the title characters), listening to music, gardening, taking a walk in the neighborhood or at the beach, facetiming his mother, lively discussing science or politics, barbecuing, eating pan dulce with coffee, sharing one of his classic Frankisms, and doing something outrageous for a laugh (which he always got). Whether Frank was wearing balloon animals on his head, sneaking treats to the pups, or greeting everyone with a loud "Happy Birthday" (regardless of their actual birthday), that man could always put a smile on your face! As a married couple, Frank and Tracey eventually settled in Lake Forest, California in 1998. There, they raised their family in a lovely residential community where neighbors looked out for one another. The family fondly enjoyed vacations, dinner table conversations, sports activities, camping trips, doting on their pups, watching the Food Network channel, playing table games, and hosting holiday and celebration gatherings, where Frank always finger-swiped the first piece of any cake. Frank and the family loved to cook (Frank had honed his cooking skills while working at the Gilroy Longhouse Restaurant). His ham, cheesy potatoes, and artichoke dip are as legendary as his smile.
Frank is survived by his loving and adoring wife of 32 years, Dr. Tracey Silveira-Zaldivar, and his incredible sons, Alec and Jacob (Kara, Jacob's dear companion), as well as his close biological family, including his much-revered mother, Rosa, cherished siblings and in-laws, Aida, Irma (Sam), Raul (Marilyn), Javier (Alma), (Terri), treasured nieces and nephews, aunts, uncles, cousins, caring extended relatives and marvelous friends. He is preceded by the beloved patriarch of the family Francisco Sr., and two dear siblings, Daniel, and Olga. While Dr. Zaldivar co-authored more than 226 publications in peer review journals and presented internationally at conferences, his greatest legacies will be the mentees that he inspired to follow in his footprints and his two amazing young adult sons. While Frank held many titles, no title was as precious to him as "father." Despite being a workaholic, he rarely missed any sports' games or activities that his boys were involved in. Together with their mother, the boys tenderly cared for their ailing father post his recent transplant. Whether watching a Formula One Race or the World Cup, or going to Reggae Concerts, or engaging in artwork, their father-son bond was palpable. Frank taught us how to live with grace amidst deep pain, to triumph beyond adversity, and to dedicate ourselves to something that we are enthusiastic about. As a testament to his indomitable spirit, this past summer, within hours of being released from a week's hospital stay, Frank was with his wife and good friends watching an outdoor musical, joining other revelers in dance. Frank always said, "You are never too old to learn, or too sick to be idle." He cautioned us not to worry so much about what others think of us, but rather, to be concerned about what we think of ourselves. He laughed hard, loved hard, and relished every moment. He was a true scientist, scholar, and gentleman, who will be sorely missed. "Goodnight my darling sweet prince, your aching body is finally at rest. I imagine you walking gleefully around heaven, pranking angels, and looking after us, always." In lieu of flowers, the family requests that you consider donations in Frank's memory to either of the following charities that were dear to his heart: 1)The Dr. Francisco Zaldivar ALMA Science Academy, Mentorship Pipeline and Scholarship Fund; and 2)UC Irvine PERC/ICTS Dr. Frank Zaldivar Memorial Lectureship/Scholarship. Via the ALMA, PERC and ICTS programs, Frank achieved his greatest long-term goal of inspiring others to love science and education as much as he did. The family also requests that in Frank's memory, you blast a Reggae tune, spread good vibes, play with a beloved pet, learn something new, and hug someone you love. For more information, please refer to Fairhaven Memorial Services at Mission Viejo for Frank's online obituary, service information, and scholarship links.