Frank was born on December 14th, 1938, to a Sicilian immigrant father, Emil Rizzo and a first-generation Sicilian American mother, Catherine Tosto Rizzo.

The eldest of three brothers (four counting the adoption of cousin Vince after the passing of his parents), Frank's father Emil envisioned the American Dream for his sons.

Frank married Patricia Anne Lauron on January 15th, 1960.  They had two sons, Mark and Mike.

From a personal standpoint, Frank was an incredibly giving person.  He cared for his wife through sickness and health.  He bestowed his intense curiosity of the world, and the "way things work" to his sons, Mark and Mike.  He was uncommonly generous to those both within the family and those outside who needed help, financially or otherwise.

Frank was the first in the family to attend college, receiving his Bachelor of Science in Chemical Engineering from the University of Detroit.  He went on to receive his Master of Science in Metallurgical Engineering followed by his PhD, both from the University of Cincinnati.

From a professional perspective, he had a most successful career, beginning as a First Lieutenant in the United States Air Force, stationed at Wright Patterson AFB.  Subsequently, he was an engineering professor at the University of Oklahoma and the University of Texas at El Paso where he was well-published.  Holder of multiple patents, Frank also authored the National Association of Corrosion Engineers, Basic Corrosion Textbook.  After leaving academia, he formed his own engineering company which he led until his passing.

Born just after the Great Depression, growing up during World War II, and thanks to the vision of his immigrant parents not to mention his own energy / drive, Frank truly embodied the American Dream … an awesome example of our "Greatest Generation".

Frank is preceded in death by his wife, Patricia, father, Emil, mother, Catherine, brothers, Norm & Vince and son, Michael.  He is survived by his brother, William, sister-in-law, Sandra, son, Mark, daughter-in-law, Denise, and grandchildren Bradford & Katherine.

Requiem Mass and Military Honors to be held at St. Anthony of Padua Catholic Church – 7801 Bay Branch Drive, The Woodlands, TX, at 1:00pm on Tuesday, September 19th.