In ce lebrat ion o f

Fr a n c i s F. Bu s t a , P h .D . As our Director Emeritus retires (again), we have collected a few of our favorite memories of Dr. Busta.

N e a l R . F r e d r i c k s o n

How could words describe the quality of a man that holds responsibility for such a celebrated career? Best yet is Frank's humility and humor. His subtlety calls your attention, and if

you don't hear the call, you're certainly missing out.

I'll always remember his word play: the "kickin' chicken" Campbell's soup that bounced around the microwave, and

the nuanced irony of phrases that emerged even during deep intellectual conversation.

J e s s i c a L a F o r e s t

Dear Frank, you made me feel so welcomed when I joined the NCFPD team. I loved hearing about your travels, your former life as a professor, and current events. I hope you

and Jean enjoy many more adventures together during your retirement.

F a i t h G o e n n e r

Because I got to see what Frank Busta ate for lunch, I knew it was safe to eat. I think he also mentioned it would be

good if there was ever a food shortage.

S t e p h e n S t r e n g

No matter who you are, it doesn't take Frank long to make you genuinely feel like you are his new best friend. He

creates an incredibly welcoming atmosphere whether you're a guest in his home or the newest employee in the office.

Frank will chat with anybody. I once saw him at the airport chatting up a news stand employee. Karen once tried to go with Frank to see a talk at the IFT

meeting and she had to leave him behind because everybody on the floor knew him and he stopped to talk with all of them.

I think he missed the presentation.

Frank also likes to circulate through the office and chat with all the staff and students. I think this has a positive impact on office morale and I hope he

continues to do it.

Frank's presence in meetings always made them better. He brings perspective, insight, and a sense of humor.

Elizabeth once ran Frank's title on his business card through a (poor) online Chinese translator and then ran it back through an English translator. His

translated title came back as Grown-up Power Authority.

During a recent meeting with USDA Secretary Vilsack, the Secretary kept looking over to Frank for his thoughts. I think the Secretary knew a

Grown-up Power Authority when he saw one. I hope I reach the level of Grown-up Power Authority some day.

Also, Frank taught me the best technique for taking candid photos of people is by shooting from the hip.

T i m B o y e r

B e t h a n y S t a v e

Thank you for being a role model of patience, positivity, and respect. I am so grateful to have worked with you over the past few years. Safe travels, as you now have plenty of

time to make your way around the world (I still expect picture slideshows)!

Te d L a b u z a

Please extend my congrats to Frank, he is the one that convinced me to leave MIT and come to Minnesota. It was

the best move I ever made. And his hard work when the RFP came out for the Center was immeasurable. He

helped me to learn more micro which became important in the birth of Intermediate Moisture Foods in the 1970's.

He is a great friend and an outstanding leader we will never forget. Maybe now he will really retire.

B r i t t a n y M a d e r

One of my favorite memories of working with Frank is when he and Shaun would get into

telling science jokes that went over most people’s heads, but would make them laugh hysterically.

This one especially got them going.

Frank, Your presence around the office is already missed. Thank you for being a kind, fair,

understanding leader of the Center and it was truly an honor to be a part of your team.

K a r e n E v e r s t i n e

I feel so fortunate to have had the opportunity to work with Frank during his semi-retirement. His professional

accomplishments speak for themselves, but they don't tell the full story of his wisdom and a positive outlook on

life. Frank is unparalleled as a mentor and story teller. I already miss the looooong discussions about food

ingredients that inevitably began while he was heating up his shelf-stable bowl of Campbell's soup for lunch

D y a n i L e e

I only joined NCFPD 2 years ago, and it saddens me that I didn't get a chance to work the 8 other years with Frank as

some of my co-workers have. I never cared how long his stories are, I always look forward to having a conversation

with Frank because I know there's guaranteed laughter and generally me having a "I learned something new today!"

moment.

J e n n i S u l l i v a n

In the 8 years I've worked with Frank, I have truly been on the beneficial end of our relationship. He is an incredible mentor, friend, leader and teacher. He has encouraged me both professionally and personally and is an incredible gift in my life. I hope that he can work hard on retiring fully

this time... enjoy your family, your travels, and most especially your time!

E r i k a N e l s o n

While I've only been at the Center a short time, I have known Frank longer than most people. You see, Frank and his family lived down the block from me while I was growing up. His eldest daughter and I went to high school

together and I used to go with her to their house after school to have a snack and hang out.

What a delight it was to discover him here when I started this job. He has been a great guide as I find my way here and the value of having him with

us at industry shows to introduce us around can not be overstated.

Thank you Frank for everything, you will be missed.

A m a n d a M o r e n

“Amanda - If you visit Franks home he will give you a grand tour of a museum of art work in his house. Each with it's own story.”

You never know who is on the other side of the door!

Reaching for the door into the Delta Sky Club in Phoenix, the door opened and there I was face-to-face with Frank.

Neither of us were aware the other was in town.

Frank chaired an IFT Task Group on Potentially Hazardous Food for FDA. The first day of the meeting, the discussions were lively and in circles in

attempting to get a task group focus.

Frank had scheduled the meeting in Room 360 to accommodate the group.

G a l e P r i n c e

Frank is special…

His years of work benefit everyone’s life every day!

Thank you, Frank!

Te d S t e i n m a n n

Frank is a remarkable source of wisdom and always a pleasure to see and talk to. No matter what's going on, if

Frank stops by it's time to take a break because whether we talk shop or not, I know our interaction will be important

and memorable.

Frank, Congratulations on finally getting to retire. Your service to the University of Minnesota and our nation has been exemplary. Thank you for all that you have done to provide outstanding leadership during this difficult and

challenging period of history. We are safer today because of the work you and your colleagues with NCFPD do.

M a r k P. B e c k e r , P h D

For 10 years, we’ve had our own resident ‘Science Guy.’ Whether completing a technical review of a novel assay or determining how long that abandoned jar of pickles could be stored in the staff fridge, Frank has always been our go-to expert. Who needs Google, Wiki, or Linked-In when we

had Frank!

Didn’t matter how many reviews, conference calls, emails or conference calls required his attention that day, Frank always took the time to personally greet every student and staff when he arrived. He ALWAYS had time for any and

everyone at the Center.

I remember Faith’s last day at NCFPD. She had been in good spirits through all her good-byes, but as she was

making her last trip to her car, she dropped into Frank’s office one last time and through hugs and tears said, “I

think I’ll miss you most of all!” It was a scene right out of the Wizard of Oz as Dorothy (Faith) and Frank (the

Cowardly Lion) said her good-byes when returning to Kansas Minneapolis campus).

The words “approximately, around, about, I think…” are not part of Frank’s vocabulary – not only in the laboratory, but also exactly how many miles to the airport, number of

calories he consumed two days earlier, his jean’s size in 1958, the address of every house and apartment he’s ever

lived in.

Everyone who knows Frank knows he’s got some great stories. My favorite stories are when he speaks with great

admiration, affection and awe of the many, many exceptional people he’s known, taught or worked with. Of

course he was equally sentimental when talking about spores!

Vacation slide shows can be deadly, but Frank’s presentations were masterful! Slides and narration are

carefully edited to just right number of fun facts, amusing adventures, ironic observations, a map or two for context,

and of course a soundtrack featuring music from the region. His last slide of a given show was often met with groans from staff around the conference table – because

we wanted MORE!

Excerpts from the Fortune article in 2005:

“Or as director Frank Busta puts it, ‘from field to flatulence’.

Busta, a garrulous fellow with a raspy voice, has nearly 40 years' experience in food science and technology. When the Food and Drug Administration in 2003 asked an industry group that he led to review

aspects of food safety, "it was one of those 'Oh, crap' situations," he recalls. "I can see vulnerabilities in an awful lot of places."

L i s a B r i e n z o

K e n d r a M c C o r m a c k

Frank’s accomplishments, intellect, kindness, and affability are awesome.

Awe-inspiring.

C u r t i s K a s t n e r

Frank: I want to wish you the best in retirement, and express my appreciation for the opportunity to

work with you and NCFPD. You have been a wonderful mentor and leader. You should be proud of all your accomplishments. We are all thankful to

call you a colleague. Please do stay in touch.

C r y s t a l F e r n a n d e z

One year, my first with NCFPD, our office had a Secret Santa gift exchange. Frank was my Secret Santa and he gifted me a beautiful Pashmina. I

wear the Pashmina every winter now.

E l i z a b e t h C u n n i n g h a m

My favorite memories of Frank are when I’d be chatting with him about something and he’d

launch into a story about dating a carny or crashing his motorcycle or how his mom tied him to the

clothesline to play. I miss him!

A m y K i r c h e r

For guidance and insight, I am grateful.

In ce lebrat ion o f

Fr a n c i s F. Bu s t a , P h .D .

Or as we know him…

Scientist the

Storyteller the

Explorer the

Grown-Up Power Authority

the

Shutterbug the

Mentor the

FOOD DEFENDER the or ig inal

Friend our

But most importantly…

He’s our

F R A N K

He will truly be missed.