KMXT 100.1 FM Public Radio in Kodiak, Alaska
Frank Vondersaar poses for a photo in 2010. Vondersaar was a veteran and candidate for Congress. He passed away Sept. 12. HOMER TRIBUNE/file photo
Homer Tribune staff
Longtime Homer resident, Frank J. Vondersaar, 64, died Friday, Sept. 12, 2014, at Alaska Regional Hospital in Anchorage.
Mr. Vondersaar served in the U.S. Air Force from 1972 to 1985, where he received various commendations for meritorious service. He lived in Homer since 1989 and received his Juris Doctorate from the University of Dayton that same year. He worked as an attorney and engineer. Mr. Vondersaar was a member of the Homer Community Emergency Response Team.
As a perennial candidate for Congress, Mr. Vondersaar, a well-known Democrat, conducted 11 campaigns against Sens. Ted Stevens and others in Alaska’s congressional delegation. He began running for congress in 1992, and every two years, he continued to throw his hat into the ring. Most recently he was a candidate for the Democratic nomination in this year’s primary election, hoping to run against Republican Rep. Don Young in the general election. He called Young, “one of the most corrupt congressmen in the U.S. House.”
Mr. Vondersaar also took issue against the culture of corruption in Washington and economic matters where one percent of the country’s wealthy hold the power. He wanted to protect Social Security and Medicare-Medicaid.
Mr. Vondersaar was also a regular writer of letters to the editor to the Homer Tribune, and served on the board of directors of KBBI public radio, where he was a long-time volunteer.
A visitation will be held from 6-8 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 18, 2014, at the Homer Funeral Home. Funeral Services will follow the next day at 10 a.m. Friday, Sept. 19, 2014 at St. John the Baptist Catholic Church in Homer.
Mr. Vondersaar will be buried following the services at the Hickerson Cemetery on Diamond Ridge Road. A potluck will follow at the Salvation Army Church on the Sterling Highway.
Arrangements are with Homer Funeral Home & Cremation Services. Family and friends will submit a longer obituary at a later date.
