1. In celebration of
Franci s F. Bus t a, Ph.D.
As our Director Emeritus retires (again), we have collected a
few of our favorite memories of Dr. Busta.
2. 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.
Nea l R. F r e d r i c k s o n
3. 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
J e s s i c a L aFo r e s t
retirement.
4. 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.
Fa i t h G o e n n e r
5. 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.
S t e p h e n S t r e n g
6. 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.
7. 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 im Bo y e r
8. 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
B et h a n y S t av e
picture slideshows)!
9. 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.
Te d L ab u z a
10. 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.
B r i t t a ny Mad e r
11. 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
Kar e n E ve r s t i n e
12. 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!"
Dya n i L e e
moment.
13. 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
J e n n i S u l l i v a n
especially your time!
14. 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
E r i k a Ne l s o n
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.
15. “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.”
Aman d a More n
16. 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.
17. 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.
18. Gal e P r i n c e
Frank is special…
His years of work benefit everyone’s life every day!
Thank you, Frank!
19. 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
Te d S t e i nma n n
and memorable.
20. 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.
Mar k P. B e c k e r , P h D
21. 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!
22. 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.
23. 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).
24. 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.
25. 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!
26. 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!
27. 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
29. 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 u r t i s Kas t n e r
30. 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.
C r y s t a l F e r n a n d e z
31. 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!
E l i z a b e t h C u n n i n g h a m
