Petersburg Pilot -

Frank Earl Sarber, 81, was born at the Alaska Railroad Hospital in Anchorage on October 18, 1935 while his father was in Dillingham aiding in the search for famed humorist Will Rogers. His life ended at home with family on April 27, 2015 in Los Lunas, N.M.

Frank grew up in Petersburg, Alaska where he graduated from Petersburg High School in 1954. He met his wife Maggie Bradley and they moved to Ketchikan in 1968. They were married July 12, 1969 aboard the MV Wickersham while docked in Petersburg. He and Maggie lived in Ketchikan until 2008 then retired to Los Lunas.

Art, adventure and diversity defined Frank's interests in life. His various endeavors included scuba diving (salvage, construction, shipwrecks, abalone), big game guide, salmon packing vessels, gold exploration and work for Ireland Transfer and Moran Piloting Service. Frank's hobbies included beach combing, camping, boating in his zodiac "Happiness," cutting firewood, salvaging and collecting maritime artifacts, bicycling, reading and playing video games. He served in the US Army, stationed in California.

Frank leaves behind a legacy of artistic works that include charcoal portraits (including the well-known "Rocky"), ceramic Northwest Indian art, sculpture, jewelry, intricate red cedar boxes, and his unique multi-dimensional touch print paintings.

Frank was preceded in death by his father Hosea R. Sarber, mother Virginia E. Sarber-Lemke and stepfather William E. Lemke.

Frank is survived by his wife Sally Maggie Sarber, brother Homer H. and Myra Sarber, Scott and Shelley Sarber, Kevin Sarber, Sabrina Barber, Ed and Clara Ness, Ed Ness Jr., Brenda Cooley, Wendy and Doug McLaughlin.

There was no service, Frank's ashes will be scattered in SE Alaska. Maggie's address is 1020 Crestview Drive SW, Los Lunas, NM 87031.