Frank S So April 25, 1937 – February 22, 2019 Share this obituary View/Sign Guest Book Frank S. So, 81, of Flossmoor, died Friday February 22. Born April 25, 1937, in Youngstown, OH. Mr. So was the son of the late Stephen and Anna Bender So.
He graduated from Youngstown University and earned his Master’s degree in City and Regional Planning from Ohio State University. He relocated to Illinois in 1964 to become the Director of Planning and Community Development for the Village of Harvey. In 1967 he joined the American Society of Planning Officials which became the American Planning Association in 1979.
He spent over 30 years with the association, being appointed its Executive Director in 1996. He served in that capacity until his retirement in 2001. In 1999 Mr. So was inducted into the College of Fellows of the American Institute of Certified Planners.
This is the highest honor the AICP bestows upon its members to recognize and honor outstanding contributions as a professional planner. All Fellows are long-time members of AICP and have achieved excellence in professional practice, teaching and mentoring, research, and community service and leadership. His major accomplishments in education and professional practice include the editing of four planning textbooks, including the Practice of Local Government Planning, and overseeing the publication of more than 60 books on planning.
He served for 16 years as a Consulting Advisor to the Village of Flossmoor: Village Manager, Planning Director, Board of Trustees, Planning Commission, Appearance Commission and the Zoning Board of Appeals. He was an adjunct professor at Governors State University and a volunteer planning career advisor to the Peace Corps. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his first wife, Carolyn Burr So, and his brother, Richard J. So.
He is survived by his wife, Deborah Huggett (Flossmoor), Brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law James and Arlene Carr (Weddington, NC), David and Becky Burr (Hilton Head, SC), David and Doreen Huggett (Mentor, OH) and many, many nieces and nephews. A funeral service will be held at Church of St. John the Evangelist in Flossmoor on Saturday, March 23 at 11 AM. In lieu of flowers, contributions to Church of St. John the Evangelist, P.O. Box25, Flossmoor, IL 60422 or South Suburban Humane Society, 1103 West End Avenue, Chicago Heights, IL 60411, would be appreciated.
Frank was a kind and gentle man, with a big heart and a bigger smile. He loved and was loved and will be greatly missed.
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