Steven Frank Haukaas

Steven Frank “Frank” Haukaas, 71, passed away on April 8, 2026. Born on June 7, 1954, in San Juan, Puerto Rico, Frank lived a life defined by great character, kindness, and honesty. Though naturally reserved, he met the world with steady warmth and thoughtful attention that drew people close. He belonged to the Rosebud Lakota Tribe and cherished his island-born Puerto Rican roots, a dual heritage that shaped both his artistry and his generous way of being. Not expected to live beyond his mid-twenties, he defied those early prognoses and gifted his family and friends with many luminous decades of presence.

From childhood, Frank’s imagination was unmistakable: he built model cars from found objects, transforming everyday materials into works of wonder. As an adult, his drawing that spoke powerfully to identity and belonging was displayed at the Denver Art Museum for six years. Most recently, he co-created a contemporary sculpture centered on resiliency, now in the collection of the Haffenreffer Museum at Brown University, with its image to appear in a forthcoming art history publication. Frank loved animals—especially dogs—and cared for them with uncommon devotion. When his little brown dog, Stella, suffered a seizure, he would lift her gently, carry her to a quiet place, and hold her until the tremor passed.

Frank was the heart of his family. He is survived by his sister, Linda, and his brothers, Sonny and Tom, along with many beloved relatives who treasured his presence. He also leaves his two cherished dogs and a much-loved cat, all of whom benefited from his faithful stewardship. Neurodivergent due to an accident at birth, Frank met each day with an unwaveringly positive spirit, and his steadiness and grace became a source of strength for those around him. He was, in every sense, a decent man—kind, thoughtful, and frank—and he taught those who loved him what it means to persevere with gentleness.

If Frank could be remembered for one thing, it would be his character. His quiet creed—“I know what love is”—echoes in the lives he touched and in the art he leaves behind. In lieu of flowers, donations in his memory may be made to the ASPCA. The family extends heartfelt gratitude to the compassionate teams at Lakewood Ranch Hospital ICU and Tidewell Hospice for their attentive care. May we honor Frank by meeting the world as he did: with honesty, kindness, and care for the vulnerable—and by holding one another, gently, until the hardest moments pass.