Frank Henry Papers

Mid-century modern designer, artist and educator Frank Myron Henry was born on August 22, 1934, in Long Beach, California. He moved to Arizona with his family in the 1940s and grew up as a young boy in the Salt River Valley living in Phoenix, Glendale and Scottsdale.

As a young man in Arizona in the 1950s, he met Frank Lloyd Wright who inspired him to pursue architecture. Henry was the first person to receive a professional degree in architecture in Arizona, when he graduated from Arizona State University with a Bachelor of Architecture with high distinction in 1960. His Bachelor's thesis was selected as the outstanding thesis in architecture by the American Institute of Architects (AIA) for that year.

Frank Henry worked in the architecture profession for over forty years, designing airports, banks, churches, university buildings, and hospitals. Much of his work was done as a designer for the architectural firm Weaver and Drover and its successor firm Drover, Welch, and Lindlan (DWL). Mr. Henry received numerous awards for his distinguished work and designs. Among them were the National Church Architectural Guild Design Award (1962), Architectural Woodwork Institute Design Award (1972), ASU School of Architecture Dean's Award (1981), AIA Central Arizona Chapter Service Award (1981), E. Thomas Casey Leadership Award (2006), and Frank Lloyd Wright School of Architecture Service Award (2010). His design for Valley National Bank's branch bank at 44th Street and Camelback Road in Phoenix won the Valley Forward Association Environmental Award (1985) and in 1992, was nominated by the Central Arizona Chapter of the American Institute of Architects for the AIA National 25 Year Honor Award given to one building in the U.S. each year.

Mr. Henry was also an accomplished artist who won awards for his graphic artwork. From the period 1974-2011, his works were exhibited throughout Arizona at the Glendale Arts Festival, Casa Grande Art Museum, Estrella Mountain Community College, and Arizona State University among others.

After retiring from active practice, Henry devoted his time to various pursuits, most notably teaching in the Frank Lloyd Wright School of Architecture. He started as adjunct faculty in 1998 and by 2002 was in the position of studio master. As faculty, he taught hand rendering and perspective drawing and assisted in developing school policy through various administrative assignments. He excelled as a mentor and teacher. Perhaps the best testament to his skills came from an anonymous student evaluation in a perspective drawing course which simply stated, Frank Henry—his work and dedication never cease to amaze me. I can't not learn from him. In addition to his work with the school, he also was actively involved in lecturing, conducting architectural tours, and preparing exhibits for the Frank Lloyd Wright Foundation.

Henry had a deep appreciation for the unique architecture and ecology of the Southwest. As a member of Arizona Vision Weavers, he advocated for preservation of the natural Sonoran Desert environment which he believed was being sacrificed to man's ignorance, waste, and greed.

Frank Henry had a long and distinguished career in architectural design and education. He and his wife Ruth had three children and were long-time residents of Scottsdale. He passed away on July 28, 2013, at the age of 78.