1937
Francisco
2016
Francisco "Frank" Ybarra
March 9, 1937 — August 9, 2016
Dr. Frank Ybarra passed away August 9, 2016. He was born March 9, 1937, in Shattuck, Oklahoma. His parents, Alberto and Carmen Ybarra, were born in Mexico. He graduated from Shattuck High School in 1955. Frank served four years in the US Air Force, including two years in Japan.
Dr. Ybarra received his BA Degree in Education from Northwestern Oklahoma State University, his Masters Degree in Guidance and Counseling from Emporia State University and his PHD in Administration from Kansas State University.
Dr. Ybarra served on several boards including Topeka United Way, American Red Cross, Melody Brown Foundation, Ballet Folklorico, Kansas Children’s Service League, Family Service and Guidance Center, Sunflower Music Festival, Topeka/Shawnee County Public Library when it was rededicated in 2000, Washburn Board of Regents, Marian Clinic, Topeka Housing Authority (Chairman), Topeka Retired Teachers Association, Topeka Capitol Journal Advisory Board, Governor Commissions under two Kansas Governors, former member of Downtown Rotary, Topeka Senior Chamber of Commerce. He served on the Most Pure Heart of Mary School board as chairman and later directed the St. Joseph’s Church Sunday School. He was an extra ordinary Eucharistic Minister in the Catholic Church and helped start the giving of Communion to the homebound at Most Pure Heart Church. He was, for many years, active in Knights of Columbus at St. Joseph’s and at the time of his death was a parishioner of Christ the King Parish. He enjoyed serving Mass, being a lector and for many years was a meditation chapel participant. He was a chapel sacristan for 10 years at St. Francis Hospital.
Dr. Ybarra received many awards during his career as an educator, including induction to Kansas Teachers Hall of Fame, Outstanding Alumni NW Oklahoma State University, Martin Luther King Living the Dream Award, Knights of Columbus Family of the Year Award and Who’s Who in American Education. He helped initiate the establishment of early childhood programs in Topeka Housing Authority Community Centers for low income children. In July, 2016 he was recognized by the Topeka Police Department for initiating the Junior Pathfinder Police Academy. In May, 2013, Topeka Housing Authority named a residential complex, Ybarra Place, in his honor.
In July, 1995, he retired as an Assistant Superintendent for USD 501. He served in USD 501 for 27 years, starting in 1964. He was a teacher at Roosevelt Jr. High School and Boswell Jr. High School, a counselor at Topeka High School where he developed a Career Center and the Mexican/American Youth Organization. He was a Principal of Highland Park Jr. High School, and USD 501 Director of Guidance. He was the first Hispanic ever selected to an administrative position in USD 501 and at that time, may have been the only one in the State of Kansas. Dr. Ybarra served 22 years in the district’s personnel office, the longest continuously employed administrator in that department. With Board approval, he initiated Hispanic Month Recognition in USD 501. He took a leadership role in producing a manual of policy and management agreements for USD 501 school administrators, Title XI guidelines, Affirmative Action Goals, Safety Manual for Classified Employees and revised the Job Description Directory for all employees. He met monthly with representatives of 6 different classified employee groups to discuss employment concerns. He was a member, then President of the Kansas Association of Educational Negotiators. He was instrumental in forming high school Future Teachers Clubs and in combination with Washburn University, a training course to create a pool of internships for women wishing to be school administrators. In September, 1995, he was selected Director of Personnel for the Kansas Department of Human Resources. He retired from that position in 2000. During the mid-60’s, Dr. Ybarra was counselor for blind adults and had 110 job placements. In retirement, he was a job placement counselor for handicapped individuals for Dept. for Children and Family Services and in 2015 was joined by his wife, Sharon. Together, they had over 165 job placements. He was a fact finder for the Labor Department and a part-time recruiter for USD 501.
Dr. Ybarra wrote several nationally published employment articles. He was editor and publisher of a statewide newsletter on educational negotiations and he conducted employment and negotiation workshops. He was chief negotiator for USD 501 for 5 years. While in personnel, he assisted in negotiating and implementing the first ever district teachers salary schedule, effected the successful transfer of district staff from 12 junior high schools to 6 middle schools. He supervised the consolidation of forms and procedures related to the employment of district staff. He brought the automated substitute service to the district and introduced twice a month pay for employees, plus a summer work schedule that allowed for a 4 ½ day duty week. At various times he was an adjunct professor for graduate courses at Washburn University and Kansas University. He was a supervisor for Student Teachers for Washburn University beginning in 2004. He was proud to have mentored 110 teacher candidates, many of whom won outstanding teacher awards.
In November, 2000, he married Sharon Ann (Fox) Haas. She survives. Dr. Ybarra was preceded in death by his first wife of 36 years, Marianna (Molly) Hoitt in 1998. His family includes Elizabeth Ann Ortega (Frank); Loretta Marie Ybarra-Bartee (Tom); Francisco (Frank) Andres Ybarra; Joaquin (Joe) Nicholas Ybarra (Jill); Margaret Jane Henry (Matt); Ramona Jean Schiefelbein (Matt); Meredith Hope Graber (Lucas); Melissa Carmen Hoitt Ybarra; two stepsons Justin Randall Haas (Chantelle) and Jerod Lee Haas (Stacie); a sister Linda Marie Kotich; a brother Joseph Mark Ybarra (Maria); 23 grandchildren; 2 great-grandchildren.
The family will receive friends from 1:00 p.m. until 4:00 p.m. Sunday at Christ the King Catholic Church. A Parish Rosary to be prayed at 4:00 p.m. followed by sharing of memories by his family and friends. Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 10:00 a.m. Monday at the church. Interment will follow in Mt. Calvary Cemetery where military honors will be provided.
Memorial contributions should be made to Washburn University School of Education or Pro-Life organizations, sent in care of Brennan-Mathena Funeral Home, 800 SW 6th Avenue, Topeka, KS 66603.
To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Francisco "Frank" Ybarra, please visit our flower store.
Service Schedule
Past Services
Visitation
Sunday, August 14, 2016
1:00 - 4:00 pm (Central time)
Christ the King Catholic Church
Mass of Christian Burial
Monday, August 15, 2016
Starts at 10:00 am (Central time)
Christ the King Catholic Church
Guestbook
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