Frank Michael Catania

Frank M. Catania died peacefully, surrounded by family and friends on December 3rd. He was born July 31, 1942 in Rocky Hill, Connecticut. He is preceded in death by his mother Mary and father Tom Turner. He is survived by Rosemary Ryan, his constant companion and the love of his life; his brother Dr. Robert Catania and his wife Aurora; his sister Geri Stroh and her husband Don along with his nephew Bill Fox, his wife Heather; and, great-nephew Brayden.

Frank touched the lives of so many people throughout his life that there are too many to mention. He would want to acknowledge all the caregivers and doctors who helped him throughout his life. Equally important all the people who worked with him in the K-9 world especially with his beloved American Tundra Shepherds.

Frank lived the most incredible life. As a young man he was a cross county running champion. His love of animals was always apparent and he really used his skills when he joined the military. Frank was in the K-9 corp. during Vietnam and was awarded a Bronze Star for his work with temperament evaluation. Upon leaving the military he was presented with an opportunity that would change his world and that of many others. He developed a new breed of dog and is recognized as the founder and developer of the American Tundra Shepherd. Frank will always be remembered as one of the most knowledgeable and great teachers of all time in the K-9 community. He will be greatly missed and was loved by many.

A partial list of Frank's achievements include: Chief Army K-9 Instructor & Veterinary Technician; Awarded a Bronze Star by the US Army for his research & Development of K-9 training methods; VP & State Agent for the Human Societies Inc; Dir of Edwardsville Animal Control; originator of Guard Dog rental Services in Kansas City; Court Pet Expert Witness; Director for the First Canine Explorer Post in the USA: No. 2907 for the Boy Scouts of America; Boy Scout Counselor for Dog Training & Veterinary Technicians; Advisor to the Kansas State Legislature for House Bill 2900, Vicious Dog Act; Founder and President of the Global Kennel Club; Director of the American Mixed Breed Kennel Club; City & County Humane Society Officer; former President of the Humane Society of Greater Kanasas City; Member of the Humane Society of American; Founder and sole developer of the American Tundra Shepherd dog; K-9 Chief Instructor for the Burlington Northern, Santa Fe & Frisco railroads; Trainer of Tracking dogs used by police departments; Chief Training Instructor of the K-9 Demonstration Teams for the army at Ft. Benning, Georgia; Supervisor of K-9 Demonstration teams; Training Director for Catch-all Animal Control Classes; Trainer of dogs for the Handicapped & Hearing Impaired; Licensed Professional Chief instructor, Show Judge and Breed Warden; Author of the FM20-20 Army War Dog Training Manual, 1967 issue; President of the American Tundra Shepherd Club and President and Founding Member of the Greater Kansas City Working K-9 Club.

Tax deductable donations can be made in Frank's honor to: American Tundra Shepherd Foundation, 11121 W. 109th Terrace, Overland Park, Kansas 66210.

Visitation and Funeral Service

Visitation will be held Wednesday, December 10th from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. at Amos Family Chapel of Shawnee. Mass of Christian Burial will be Thursday, December 11th at 10:30 a.m. at St. Joseph Catholic Church, 11311 Johnson Drive, Shawnee. After lunch is served a military graveside service will be at Leavenworth National Cemetery in Leavenworth, Kansas.