It is with great sadness that we note the passing of long-time Shasta Chapter CNPS member Frank Kokso. As a fitting tribute in Frank’s honor, the Chapter has awarded the Frank Kosko Memorial Scholarship to a most exemplary young man this year. Please read on to learn more about the life of this most extraordinary man.
Frank was born in Kentucky and raised in rural Virginia. He caught the passion of flying at a young age and joined three different military branches in pursuit of this dream. But he was unable to fly with them and in due time made his way to California, where he worked in logging camps before eventually finding himself in Redding and working for the Division of Highways (as Caltrans was known at that time). Redding is where he met and fell in love with his best friend, Virginia.
Together they had three sons—Stan, Robert, and David—and one daughter, Kay.
Frank’s love of growing all things was realized here in Redding. He and Virginia created Stardust Gardens, where they grew flowers and fruits and vegetables. They shipped flowers all over the country. He planted many things, sometimes trying to grow things that weren’t exactly suited to the Redding area just to see if he could. He had violets all over like a carpet and, at one time, had a large commercial greenhouse where he loved to propagate plants. He enjoyed foraging for new plants and had a stockpile of seeds from every walk and hike, from other seed enthusiasts, and from his sister in Virginia.
Frank loved being outdoors and that is where one would typically find him. He was a founding member of the Shasta Enterprise Soaring Club, and for many years he was able to satisfy his desire to pilot a plane. Blissfully he soared above the landscape of northern California, he did a few long-hour flights to test the limits of himself and the sailplane.
Frank also had an affinity for Mt Shasta, climbing it once a year for many years. He even got three of his children to join him during various ascents. He claimed that, when he was on top of the mountain and it was a clear day, he could see the coast. Once he’d get to the top, he would lay on his back watching as clouds created magical formations; he would be mesmerized.
In the 1990s, Frank was involved not only with the establishment of Redding’s Westside trails, but also, along with CNPS member Dr. Gene Clark, with the creation and operation of Horsetown-Clear Creek Preserve on the southwest side of Redding. Frank and others took numerous fieldtrips to the Horsetown/Cloverdale Loop area to chart the proposed trails, and to identify sensitive plant species. He was in his element teaching others about the plants and their Latin names. Frank served on the Board at Horsetown-Clear Creek Preserve for many years as well.
In his always-humble and unassuming manner, Frank delighted us with stories of his engineering years with Caltrans, and then his water-dowsing accomplishments in “retirement.” There are well over two hundred wells he was instrumental in helping establish because of this skill. He would say, “You have to have water to survive.” He felt it was a calling for him to find the best spot for drilling a well. He had a deep knowledge of geology, and was instrumental in the 1960s in getting Caltrans to re-route the alignment of I-5 through Dunsmuir, which saved Hedge Creek Falls from the bulldozer!
Frank was active with the Shasta Chapter CNPS, and in the 1980s through the 2000s, he participated in Chapter fieldtrips—leading trips as far away as the Klamath Mountains in Siskiyou County. Frank had explored everywhere in his geology years, and was more than happy to show CNPS fieldtrippers his favorite spots, such as Cory Peak and the Kangaroo Lake area. He could out-hike many of us! And he knew his plants as well as geology.
Frank was also a trusted adviser at CNPS Plant Sales, and was always there to answer the public’s questions about the plants for sale. He spent many hours at propagation sessions, and he was a big supplier of native plants to the nursery—all from his own greenhouse and from his propagation efforts at his home. We will all miss his expert advice and counsel.
The above was written jointly by Frank Kosko’s children and members of the Shasta Chapter CNPS, Jay & Terri Thesken. The photos in the following slideshow were submitted by the Kosko Family, Horsetown-Clear Creek Preserve, and Shasta Chapter CNPS. Enjoy a stroll with Frank down memory lane.
