The "Dan Marschka: Part I - Frankie Was A Lucky Guy" Story

It was an ordinary day.  Just got off the phone with a fellow I had the pleasure of meeting years ago by the name of Dan Marschka.  My family actually knew his mother long before I got to know Dan, since she was a school nurse at Nathan C. Schaeffer Elementary School where my children went to elementary school.  As a teacher in the Manheim Township School District, I invited Dan to speak to my photography classes on a yearly basis during the few weeks that we studied occupations in photography.  

Dan preparing for a local art show.

He always accepted my invitation and my students loved his presen- tations.  Well, the reason for my call to Dan was to ask if he would mind if I used an article that recently appeared in the Lancaster Newspaper that he had written about his cousin Frank.  Every week the Lancaster Newspaper features a story in the "Local" section titled "Through the Viewfinder" which shows the work of one of the photojournalists who work for the paper.  We in Lancaster are so lucky to have a staff of fantastic photographers who report the local news through the lens of their camera.  Many have spoken to my photography classes over the years which has led to quite a few students becoming professional photographers.  Dan's story in the April 15th newspaper tells of his cousin Frank who recently died at the age of 59.  Dan wrote, telling that his Aunt Charlyne asked him about 12 years ago if he would consider being Frank's guardian if both she and her husband Ed passed away before their son Frank did.  He accepted, considering the request an honor and family obligation for you see Frank was born a special needs child in 1960.  He had extra genetic material from chromosome 21.  Down syndrome results when abnormal cell division involving chromosome 21 occurs.  Dan wrote that "Yes, he was "special" in a way many of us are fortunate to recognize."  

Dan's cousin Frankie in his room of photographs.

The photograph in the "Through the Viewfinder" featured a photograph of Frankie taken by Dan in 1991 in his Maryland home.  At the time Frankie was very enthusiastic about pictures, much like his cousin Dan.  But, Dan understood later there was a deeper meaning to Frankie's love of photographs.  Frank had a fascination with Polaroid photographs and the fact that he could see them appear instantly after being taken.  Frankie often would go on photographic binges with his Polaroid disregarding the cost of materials which his parents happily supplied.  Dan wrote "Frankie was driven to create something that emerged from a place of innocence.  It was a pure form of compulsion.  I think he simply wanted to remember moments, places, objects and especially people.  People made him happy."  Frankie was extremely lucky to have had a cousin as understanding and loving as Dan.  Dan said he wonders how different each of us are when we feel compelled to create something without knowing why.  We are probably more distracted than Frankie had been.  The ending to Dan's story in "Through the Viewfinder" was touching and brought a few tears to my eyes as well as many readers, I am sure.  Dan wrote in "Through the Vewfinder that "Frankie's inspiration represents what many of us forget: how to see and recognize the messages we need to share like we did when we were children.  On March 4th, this gentle, loving soul passed into the arms of Aunt Charlyne and Uncle Ed.  I have been privileged to enjoy Frank's vision of this world and his example of love for others."  Frankie must have been a great guy and I only wish I might have had the chance to meet him.  His cousin Dan is much like him in that he has compassion for others which is reflected in the photography that he has taken for the Lancaster Newspaper for many years.  Dan's retirement from Lancaster Newspaper was announced in the Sunday LNP's Living Lancaster section May 3.  Lancaster is going to miss him and his storytelling through the lens of his Nikon.  But, with his fascination for photograph, I'm sure we will see many more of his photographs in the future.  It was another extraordinary day in the life of an ordinary guy.