IN MEMORIAM: John L. Frullo, Architect: The Exemplar Career of Dedication and Fun July 31, 1930-Mar. 17, 2020 TRIBUTE WRITTEN BY AMANDA HANSEN, AIA John L. Frullo was my grandfather, and I am thankful he was my introduction to the world of architecture. His impact on my career’s trajectory started when I was very young. I remember exploring his office in wonderment, marveling at the gigantic desks and massive drawings, peculiar drawing tools and intricate building models. He always encouraged me to draw, and I enjoyed sketching with him. I was proud that he taught me to draw trees the sophisticated way he drew them for his renderings, particularly because the other kindergarteners were only drawing the standard, cotton-ball trees. He created buildings that connected me to nature and were the settings of some of my favorite childhood memories. As I got older, he taught me to be analytical and to value architecture that is true to its time and place. Once he knew I was hooked, he encouraged me to earn degrees in structural engineering and architecture. It was only necessary for his guidance to become more direct in the years after I entered the profession: “Girl, get that damn license!” John was born in Rock Springs, Wyoming, on July 31, 1930. Before architecture school, he studied electronics, served in the Navy and worked for the Civil Aeronautics Administration, the predecessor to the Federal Aviation Administration, in Las Vegas, Nevada. John studied architecture at the University of Utah, and once he earned his degree in 1959, he began working full-time for Kellogg & Kellogg Architects in Rock Springs, Wyoming. In 1973, John earned his professional license and would go on to work for Kellogg & Kellogg until the firm ended in 1977. During that time, he worked on many projects across the state. Notable projects include the State Office Building (Cheyenne, Wyoming), Sweetwater County Courthouse (Green River, Wyoming), multiple buildings for Western Wyoming Community College (Rock Springs, Wyoming), Lander Junior High School; Our Lady of the Tetons Catholic Church (Jackson, Wyoming), Yellowstone Elementary (Rock Springs, Wyoming) and Washington Elementary School (Rock Springs, Wyoming). Next, John partnered with colleague and friend, Edwin A. Dolence, to start their own firm, Dolence & Frullo Architects. In six years, they amassed an impressive quantity and range of projects in Western Wyoming. Notable projects include Young at Heart Senior Citizen Center (Rock Springs, Wyoming); the Madge Funk addition to the Sublette County Courthouse (Pinedale, Wyoming); Desert View Elementary (Rock Springs, Wyoming); and Westridge Elementary School (Rock Springs, Wyoming). Westridge was selected for display in the National School Boards Association’s 1982 Exhibition of School Architecture and Energy Conservation. After Ed’s passing in 1983, John formed his own firm, John L. Frullo Architect. Notable projects during this period include the addition and renovation of the Rock Springs Catholic School and Education Center; St. David’s Episcopal Church (Fort Bridger, Wyoming); the Evanston Fion Fellowship International Complex Chapel; improvements to the Sweetwater County Office Building (Rock Springs, Wyoming); and the 1991 renovation to the Sweetwater County Nurse’s Home Building (Rock Springs, Wyoming). John practiced architecture into his 70s and never stopped learning about advances in the profession. He had great admiration for the works of Frank Lloyd Wright and particularly enjoyed the vernacular architecture of Sedona, Arizona. He was passionate about energy conservation and applied passive heating, cooling and ventilation strategies in his designs. John was active in both the national and Wyoming AIA chapters and served on the Wyoming leadership board. In 2015, he was awarded a certificate of appreciation for his service to the Chapter. He was president of Prairie Realty, chairman for the City of Rock Springs Architectural Review Committee and a member of the Home Builders Association of Greater Sweetwater County. John was a devoted member of the Rock Springs Elks Lodge. He served as chaplain and progressed through the chairs to exalted ruler in 1966-1967. As exalted ruler, John created programs to examine children for the eye disorder Amblyopia and to honor exemplary students in the community. He was a trustee and chairman of the Rock Springs Lodge Board of Trustees as well as a member of the national foundation. He was appointed district deputy grand exalted ruler for the Southwest District of Wyoming at the National Grand Lodge session in Chicago. He was also a member of the Fraternal Order of Eagles Lodge #151 and the American Italian Lodge. John married my grandmother, Albina Radosevich, in 1960, and they had four children. He and my grandmother enjoyed spending time at the weekend homes he designed and built in Pinedale, Wyoming. Western Wyoming Community College, Rock Springs, Wyoming, by Kellogg & Kellogg Architects Westridge Elementary School, Rock Springs, Wyoming, by Dolence & Frullo, Architects 42 WYOMING ARCHITECTURE .25
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