Basic Information
| Field | Detail |
|---|---|
| Full name | Frank Van Wagenen |
| Name variants | Frank Alton Van Wagenen, Frank Afton Van Wagenen |
| Birth | 24 December 1911, Provo, Utah |
| Death | 10 April 1996, Provo, Utah |
| Parents | Alma Van Wagenen and Birdie Ethel Gray |
| Spouse | Phyllis Barker |
| Marriage | 15 September 1937, Salt Lake Temple |
| Children | Seven children: Lola, Richard Alma, Gary, Betty (married name Gregg), Wayne Harold, Lita (married name Vallette), and an infant son Frank Bruce who died in 1949 |
| Military service | U.S. Navy, World War II, commissioned Lieutenant Junior Grade, served in the South Pacific |
| Religion | Latter-day Saint |
| Residence | Lifelong ties to Provo, Utah |
| Occupations | Family produce trade and later investment activity with the Van Wagenen enterprise |
Origins in Provo and Family Roots
Frank Van Wagenen was born on Christmas Eve 1911 in Provo, a mountainous city where families and businesses intertwined like a quilt. He was born to Alma Van Wagenen and Birdie Ethel Gray, a business and civic-minded family. Alma was a Provo businessman and mayor, and the Van Wagenens were prominent in the fruit trade. Frank grew raised with initiative, familial closeness, and duty. From 17 October 1933 to 25 September 1935, he served as a missionary in the Eastern States, a formative experience far from Utah Valley.
The family’s tale was about business and place. Frank spent virtually his whole life in Provo, a city of orchards, stores, church steeples, and university bustle in the early 1900s. That roots influenced him. It meant lunches with neighbors, consistent faith and work, and a community where a handshake was as important as a contract.
Marriage, Home Life, and Children
On 15 September 1937, Frank married Phyllis Barker in the Salt Lake Temple. Their marriage became a lifelong partnership that lasted until his passing in 1996. Together they raised seven children and weathered tragedy with the loss of an infant son, Frank Bruce, in 1949.
Lola, their first child, was born December 19, 1938. History and environmental advocacy became her specialties. Next, Richard Alma, born around 1940, created a life in the West and was a family guy until his 2024 death. Gary, Betty (later Gregg), Wayne Harold, and Lita joined the family. Grandchildren and great-grandchildren gathered around the memories and keepsakes any longtime family collects.
Phyllis was the family’s socializer, engaged in church and neighborhood. Frank was calmer and quieter, family members say. He was Phyllis’s practical focus, a father whose dedication and provision set the tone for everything that followed.
Wartime Service
Frank heeded the call of war. He volunteered for the US in early 1944. Lieutenant Junior Grade in the Navy. He participated in the South Pacific during World War II, a place of enormous distances, islands everywhere, and a difficult conflict. For a Provo native, that theater was another world. Phyllis ran the household while he was overseas. The family history and modest pride were shaped by the experience.
Work and Enterprise in Provo
The Van Wagenen name was associated with commerce before, during, and after the conflict. Production—trucks, containers, cold storages, and the crunch of an apple—was the previous focus. Frank followed Alma’s investment strategy in the late 1930s. The labor changed from weighing things to measuring numbers on paper, but devotion maintained.
The family investment wing worked locally, and Frank contributed to a strong regional presence without pursuing national trade. This community-first mentality was reflected in the family’s civic activity and long history of philanthropy, including assistance for the public library and other local organizations.
The Redford Connection and Descendants
The web of Frank’s children and grandkids extended beyond Provo. Frank became a grandfather to Scott, Shauna, James, and Amy through his daughter Lola, who married Robert Redford in 1958. Scott died as a newborn, like Frank Bruce in 1949. Shauna built a life in art and public engagement. James died in 2020 after filming and advocating. Amy makes films as an actor and director.
Next generation extended circle again. Mica and Conor Schlosser came from Shauna. Dylan and Lena came from James. Eden and Birdie came from Amy. This branch’s family reunions may reach Sundance and coastal cities, showing how one Provo family became coast-to-coast. Frank, the father and grandpa who supported their public careers, is in the background.
Names and Records
The paper trail of any life varies. Frank’s middle name occurs as Alton and Afton in records, showing how a pen stroke or transcription may change recollection. Some lines call the 1949 infant Frank, others Frank Bruce. Such differences are prevalent in family history, but they do not obscure the greater, well-attested picture. Frank’s life was structured as follows: 1911 birth, 1930s mission service, 1937 marriage, 1944 wartime service, Provo home, and a growing family.
Extended Timeline and Key Dates
| Date | Event |
|---|---|
| 24 Dec 1911 | Birth of Frank Van Wagenen in Provo, Utah |
| 17 Oct 1933 to 25 Sep 1935 | Mission service in the Eastern States |
| 15 Sep 1937 | Marriage to Phyllis Barker in the Salt Lake Temple |
| 19 Dec 1938 | Birth of daughter Lola in Provo |
| Circa 1940 | Birth of son Richard Alma |
| Early 1944 | Volunteers for U.S. Navy and is commissioned Lt. JG |
| 1944 to 1945 | Service in the South Pacific during World War II |
| 1949 | Birth and death of infant son Frank Bruce |
| 28 Jun 1952 | Birth of son Wayne Harold |
| 1950s to 1960s | Family business activity in Provo shifts toward investment |
| 10 Apr 1996 | Death of Frank in Provo, Utah |
Family at a Glance
- Parents: Alma Van Wagenen and Birdie Ethel Gray
- Spouse: Phyllis Barker
- Children:
- Lola Van Wagenen
- Richard Alma Van Wagenen
- Gary Van Wagenen
- Betty Van Wagenen Gregg
- Wayne Harold Van Wagenen
- Lita Van Wagenen Vallette
- Infant son Frank Bruce
- Grandchildren through Lola: Scott Redford, Shauna Redford, James Redford, Amy Redford
- Great-grandchildren in the Redford branch include Mica and Conor Schlosser, Dylan and Lena Redford, Eden and Birdie
Character and Community
Picture Frank as a town and time-sized man to understand him. National fame was not his goal. He was building a family, running a business, and serving the nation when needed. The Great Depression and world war loomed, yet he worked steadily with sleeves rolled up and an eye on the next step.
The community benefited from his ethic. Frank and Phyllis were civically minded. Their Latter-day Saint community involvement, support for local culture and education, and large family raised with care left lasting impressions. This is lasting legacy architecture.
FAQ
What were Frank Van Wagenen’s birth and death dates
Frank was born on 24 December 1911 and died on 10 April 1996, both in Provo, Utah.
Who were Frank’s parents
His parents were Alma Van Wagenen and Birdie Ethel Gray.
When did Frank marry and how many children did he have
He married Phyllis Barker on 15 September 1937 and they had seven children.
Did Frank serve in the military
Yes. He volunteered in early 1944, was commissioned as a Navy Lieutenant Junior Grade, and served in the South Pacific during World War II.
What was Frank’s occupation
He worked within the family’s business interests, beginning in produce and later in investment activities centered in Provo.
How is Frank connected to Robert Redford
Frank’s daughter Lola married Robert Redford in 1958, making Frank the grandfather of the Redford children.
Why do records show different middle names for Frank
Historical documents list both Alton and Afton for his middle name, a common transcription variation in family records.
Where did Frank spend most of his life
He spent nearly his entire life in Provo, Utah, with deep community and family ties.
Did Frank have any children who died young
Yes. An infant son, Frank Bruce, was born and died in 1949.
What faith community did Frank belong to
He was a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
