Frank M. Ahern passed away peacefully at home on September 14, 2026 with his loving family surrounding him. Frank was born October 31, 1940 in the Kensington/Fishtown area of Philadelphia to Ella and Francis Ahern. After the unexpected passing of his mother when Frank was only 3 years old, he was raised in part by his paternal grandmother, but spent the majority of his childhood and youth working alongside his father in an effort to support his family. The wide variety of jobs and tremendous responsibilities Frank performed took him across the country to Oregon and California, then onto Hawaii in 1960, where he remained until 1983. Frank looked back on the years of hard work with his father as “experiences;” He picked pears for Harry & David, established a trout farm, built housing, and numerous other jobs that gave him an appreciation for laborers, tradesmen and migrant workers. In Hawaii, he worked in pest control, coconut tree-trimming, and sandblasting & painting the Red Hill underground fuel storage tanks. He even worked as an “extra” in a few movies filmed in Hawaii.
Frank began his collegiate education at St. Mary’s University in California upon the encouragement of a nun who recognized his potential. He completed his undergraduate and graduate degrees in Psychology at the University of Hawaii, attending classes directly after work. Dr. Ahern became Assistant Professor in the School of Public Health at the University of Hawaii at Manoa and remained committed to public health research and advocacy throughout his career. He began his tenure at Penn State University in 1983 as Senior Research Associate in the Department of Health Policy & Administration and Center for Developmental & Health Genetics. As Director of the Medicine, Health & Aging project, he focused on gerontological health and pharmaco-epidemiology, working closely with the PA Department of Aging to study the health of PACE program participants. Frank’s proudest accomplishment was co-founding the Department of Biobehavioral Health, establishing the BBH undergraduate curriculum, and helping to expand the program such that it became the largest major at Penn State. Dr. Ahern received the Evelyn R. Saubel Faculty Award for service to students and retired from PSU in 2017 as Teaching Professor Emeritus. He was a member of the American Public Health Association, the Gerontological Society of America, and Phi Beta Kappa. He greatly enjoyed being a Marshall for PSU graduation ceremonies.
Frank was committed to community service and served on several boards for many years: The Youth Service Bureau, the Central PA Chapter of the United Nations, the ACLU, and the Bob Perks Fund. He ran marathons in Hawaii, was a fan of the Philadelphia Phillies and Eagles, and was a fly-fishing student. Antique cars and machinery, his workshop, science fiction, the TCM channel, and life-long learning were additional activities that Frank especially enjoyed.
Surviving to cherish Frank’s memory are his wife, Joy Bodnar, his children, Francis Ahern of Honolulu & Dr. Reina Ahern Harris (Robert) of Kailua, Hawaii, his grandchildren (Aurora, Hope & Valor Harris), sister Patricia O’Connor (Kenneth) of Richardson, Texas & their children, former wife Elsie Hyde and several beloved cousins.
Frank’s family wishes to thank Dr. John Piatt, Dr. Nilesh Patel, Dr. Catherine Adams, Dr. Jennifer Brooks & Caitlin McCarthy, PA-C and their medical teams for their attentive expertise and care to both Frank & Joy. Jennifer Walley, Residential Home Health Nurse and 365 Hospice also deserve special recognition for their compassionate care. Amy Bodnar, sister-in-law, was an important part of Frank’s life and provided loving support and care. If so inclined, memorial contributions may be made to the Dr. Frank Ahern Student Award, Donor & Member Services, Penn State University, 329 Innovation Blvd, Suite 311, State College, PA 16803. A gathering to celebrate Frank’s life will be shared at a date to-be-determined.