FOREST GROVE - A celebration of the life for former Pacific University football coach and athletic director Frank Buckiewicz will be held on Saturday, Sept. 23 at 10:30 a.m. at St. Anthony of Padua Church in Forest Grove.

"Frank was an outstanding student-athlete, teacher, coach and administrator for Pacific University for many years," said Pacific University Athletic Director Ken Schumann. "He touched many lives in a very positive way. He will be greatly missed."

Mr. Buckiewicz passed away on Tuesday, Sept. 5. He was 87. Mr. Buckiewicz was born on April 14, 1930 in Perth Amboy, New Jersey and went to earn his bachelor's degree from Pacific University as a five-sport athlete in football, baseball, track, golf and basketball. On the gridiron, he was a two-time first team all-Northwest Conference selection in 1951 and 1952. Also, in 1952, he was named to the Associated Press Little All-America Second Team. Mr. Buckiewicz and his 1952 football teammates will be inducted into the Pacific University Athletic Hall of Fame on October 6. In basketball, he earned all-Northwest Conference honors in 1952.

 He later went on to earn his master's degree from Penn State before moving back to the west coast. Mr. Buckiewicz along with his wife started their teaching and coaching careers in Seaside, Oregon. From 1965-1980, he served as the head football coach and from 1979-80, he served as the head golf coach at Pacific University. He also served as the athetic director at Pacific in the 1970's until he left the University in 1980. Mr. Buckiewicz was inducted into the NAIA District II Coaches Hall of Fame in 1988 and the Pacific University Athletic Hall of Fame in 1993. In addition to being a successful coach and an athlete, Buckiewicz later was involved in officiating in a wide variety of sports. He was a very accomplished basketball official at the collegiate level and worked two final fours.

Mr. Buckiewicz is survived by his wife of nearly 65 years, Diane Remby Buckiewicz.  He is also survived by four children, Frank (JoAnn) of Forest Grove, Greg (Angie) of Longview, Wash., Gina (Dan Jones) of Lake Oswego, Jo of Tigard; twelve grandchildren and two great grandchildren.