Dom
‍Franco

A Renaissance Man

Dom Franco, a well-loved resident of the Coralville and Iowa City community, passed away on March 22, 2022. He was 72 years young. Liza Evans, his partner of 37 years, confirmed the cause of his death as complications from radiation treatments for esophageal cancer.

Dom was born Dominick Francis Franco on October 23, 1949 in West Hartford, Connecticut to Lucille and John Franco. He was proud of his Italian heritage and enjoyed his large family including his brother, Frank, and many cousins, aunts and uncles.

A self-described renaissance man, Dom immersed himself in a lifelong study of literature, drawing, painting, photography, music, languages and martial arts. In the 1970s, while studying for his Master's Degree in Comparative Literature and French, Dom learned photography from his friend Dan Ehl and went on to work at the Daily Iowan as a staff photographer. Dom documented his own life extensively through photography and liked to think he created the first selfie.

Dom was a born teacher and leader who thrived in his teaching career of 36 years at Kirkwood Community College in Cedar Rapids and Iowa City, Iowa. Among many other achievements, he pioneered online teaching and initiated the first teleconference at Kirkwood. Dom and his colleague Jack Terndrup implemented the Myers-Briggs personality tests to help students understand themselves and their particular learning style. He was also a devoted martial artist, having earned a 5th degree black belt in Taekwondo, and he dedicated many years teaching that skill to people of all ages.

He had a passion for learning and teaching all of his life, and was known for his focused non-judgmental listening and speaking. Dom treated everyone with equal respect and kindness, and his gentle, caring nature was felt by many people in many different circles. The light and warmth of his spirit will be remembered and celebrated for who he was and what he gave so generously.

Dom is survived by Liza Evans, his life partner of 37 years; his first wife and friend, Jenny Franco; and extended family and friends on the East Coast.