Dr. Frank D'Isa

YOUNGSTOWN - A prayer service will be held Friday at 10:15 a.m. at the Higgins-Reardon Funeral Homes, Boardman-Canfield Chapel followed by a Mass of Christian Burial at 11 a.m. at St. Christine Church, for Dr. Frank A. D'Isa, 92, who died Tuesday morning at St. Elizabeth Boardman Health Center.
Frank A. D'Isa was born in Youngstown, on March 30, 1921, the son of Gustave D'Isa and Rose Tanzola D'Isa.
Frank married Mary Kay (Buckley) D'Isa on Dec. 30, 1950, and they have two daughters, Dr. Nancy Turner (John J.), Professor of Education, Saint Mary's College, Notre Dame, Ind., and Dr. Jane D'Isa-Smith (Sean P.), D.O., Internal Medicine, South Pointe Hospital, Warrensville Heights. They are blessed with seven grandchildren, Mrs. Katie Turner Nix (Mathew), Mrs. Erin Turner Rotterman (Cory), Jacob Turner, Liam Smith, Aidan Smith, Sean Smith, and Moira Smith. They have one great grand-daughter, Rosalyn Nix.
Frank graduated from South High School in 1939 and received a Bachelor of Science degree in Mechanical Engineering from Youngstown College in 1943. He served with the U.S. Army from 1943 to 1946, during which time he taught a valued specialty - Map Reading and Topographical Drafting. He attained the rank of Staff Sergeant. Following his discharge, he attended Carnegie Institute of Technology on the G.I. Bill, receiving a Master of Science degree in the summer 1947. That fall, he joined the engineering faculty at Youngstown College as an Assistant Professor.
In 1956, he was named Chairman of the Mechanical Engineering Department, the position he would retain until retirement. In addition to his teaching and administrative responsibilities, and the joys of being a husband and father, he continued his education on a part-time basis at the University of Pittsburgh. He received his Ph.D. degree in 1960, and proceeded to author a textbook in his area of specialization titled Mechanics of Metals, published in 1968 by Addison Wesley Publishing Company. The book was used to guide college courses for many years.
Dr. D'Isa was always actively involved in the welfare of the William Rayen School of Engineering and of Youngstown State University as a whole. In 1949, he was instrumental in starting Mu Pi Epsilon, an honorary society for students majoring in mathematics, physics, and engineering. The society was the forerunner of the Ohio Lambda Chapter of Tau Beta Pi on campus. In 1952, he started the Student Chapter of the Ohio Society of Professional Engineers. He participated in the efforts leading to national accreditation in 1954 by ECPD (Engineering Council for Professional Development), now known as ABET (Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology). He participated in the professional societies of which he was a member, and sought to gain industrial experience by way of limited consulting with local engineering companies. In 1968, he worked with his faculty to start a Master's degree program, and served as Interim Acting Dean of the Graduate School during academic year 1970-71. On three occasions, he served the administration during contract negotiations with the YSU-OEA. He was particularly proud that the Department of Mechanical Engineering maintained continuous national accreditation by ABET (ECPD) throughout his tenure as chairperson.
He received the Watson Distinguished Professor Award in 1963, and Watson Chairperson Merit Award in 1978 and 1985. In 1974, the Mahoning Valley Technical Societies Council named him "Outstanding Person."
Dr. D'Isa retired as Professor and Chairperson Emeritus in 1992. In 1995, the University honored him with the prestigious "Heritage Award" for lifetime achievement. The YSU Alumni Association presented him an award in 2001. He was a "Life Member" of the American Society for Mechanical Engineers, and a member of honorary societies Pi Tau Sigma, Phi Kappa Phi, and Tau Beta Pi, for which he served as advisor for many years. He was a registered professional engineer in Ohio.
Following retirement, Dr. D'Isa retained interest in the University, and authored a book titled, History of Engineering at Youngstown State University, which was published in 1996. In 2008, he and Dr. Daniel H. Suchora, co-authored the 2nd edition of this history, and published it on the internet.
Beginning in about 1970, photography had been his favorite hobby. He has won several awards, including purchases by the Butler Institute of American Art and the Trumbull Art Gallery. Thirty of his works appear in a book depicting the Mahoning Valley titled, Visions of the Valley, edited by Carol J. DeFrank and published in 1996. Many of his photographs depict scenes in New England, where the family traveled every summer. In very recent years, he enjoyed painting in acrylics, and had a few paintings accepted into regional shows and an international show. Frank enjoyed duplicate bridge and model boat building. He was a member of the Chesterton Men's Club for many years.
In all walks of his life, Frank was a kind, generous man, putting the needs of others before his own. He was a role model for patience, a strong work ethic, and the importance of family. Soft spoken, yet having a great sense of humor, he always had a joke or story to tell. With his family beside him, Frank passed peacefully into the arms of his Savior. Heaven will be entertained by his wit, and enhanced by his presence. His family will miss him dearly, but are consoled by many wonderful memories.
Friends may call Thursday from 4 to 7 p.m. at the funeral home.
The family has requested that material tributes take the form of donations to Mahoning County Right to Life, P.O. Box 1074 Youngstown, OH 44501 or to Youngstown State Mechanical Engineering Dept., One University Plaza, Youngstown, OH 44555.
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