Lasting Memories

Frank Latimer Henry
1940-April 25, 2009
Menlo Park, California

Frank Latimer Henry, retired decorated Airborne Ranger in the 1st Special Forces Group in Vietnam, real estate developer, and 42-year Menlo Park resident. Mr. Henry died peacefully March 25, surrounded by his family, after a 10-month battle with pancreatic cancer. He was 69.

The son of an oil wildcatter, Mr. Henry was born in Seattle, but spent his childhood in many places, from Pasadena to Butte, Montana, to Calgary, Alberta, Canada, before graduating from Los Angeles High School in 1957. He graduated from Stanford University in 1961, where he completed the ROTC program and majored in economics, with Phi Beta Kappa honors.

After graduation, he began six years of service in the Army Special Forces (Airborne). He trained at the John F. Kennedy Special Warfare Center at Fort Bragg, North Carolina, and received Ranger training at Fort Benning, Georgia. He also received language instruction at the Army Language Institute in Monterey.

From 1964 to 1967, Capt. Henry and his airborne A-detachment took part in active combat throughout Vietnam. He also worked with the Royal Thai Special Forces to create bases of operation and helped lead joint training exercises at the British Jungle Warfare School in Malaysia. On the island of Okinawa, where the 1st Special Forces Group was headquartered, Capt. Henry used his experience as a jump master to serve as a HALO (High Altitude Low Opening) instructor, leading jumps from 25,000 feet.

In 1967, Mr. Henry returned to the Bay Area, while still participating in the Airborne Reserve, and began his 40-year career in real estate development, settling in Menlo Park with his family.

He was an avid student of history and had a remarkable ability to recall dates and events from all periods, ancient to modern, say family members. He also liked to write poetry, especially for his wife, Bonnie.

He is survived by his wife of 29 years, Bonnie Henry, and their blended family of six children: Jon Henry, Jennifer Niven Miller, Nancy Niven Pudlo, Thea Henry-Hamilton, Lisa Niven Kelly, and John Niven; and 10 grandchildren.