Rick Franz

Profile Updated: May 20, 2018
Rick Franz
Residing In: Tucson, AZ USA
Occupation: Teacher/Massage Therapist/Jeweler
Children: none
Rick Franz

Now

Yes! Attending Reunion
Comments:

After PV I attended U of A, on and off, on a full music scholarship eventually receiving a BM in Music Education. During that time I also lived in Albuquerque where I studied massage therapy and continued teaching exercise for European Health Spas. A few years later I sat on and chaired the City of Tucson Massage Therapy Board of Examiners. I was given a "copper letter" by the city council for work on that volunteer board

My first year of teaching Public School was at Coolidge Middle and High Schools in Coolidge Arizona where I directed five choirs. After one year there, I returned to Tucson where I spent two years substitute teaching and studying math. I signed my first contract with TUSD and taught math and vocal music at Sabino High School.

This year (school year 08-09) was my 30th and last year of teaching. My teaching duties with TUSD have always been a combination of teaching math and directing choirs and Broadway Musicals. I had assignments at Sabino High and Rincon High but have spent the final 20 years of my career at Magee Middle School. At Magee I taught 8th grade math, advanced placement High School Algebra and directed the Show Choir called Pioneers. Pioneers won awards and was yearly invited to perform at Disneyland.

During the time I was subbing in Tucson, one of my massage clients, Manny White payed my way through the hairdressing school he owned with an eye toward a future business together. As I finished that schooling Mel Zuckerman, another massage client and original builder of Canyon Ranch, offered the me the position of head of the massage department at Canyon Ranch as it first opened. I opted to take the contract I had just been offered with TUSD instead of either business so I only used my hairdressing license for a few months. That few months I worked in the salon at the old Steinfeld's Department Store in El Con Mall. I continue to keep a few massage clients and have always used massage as a way to supplement my teaching salary.

I retired in May of this year (09) and I am spending much of my extra time learning silver and gold smithing. I have finished a course of study at Gemological Institute of America in Carlsbad California and am a Graduate Gemologist. So, now that I have finally graduated from middle school I am a jeweler. My business is incorporated under the name Carey Design Jewelry Incorporated and that is in the throes of becoming an active business. I can acquire jewelry for friends at a very good price so if you need something either purchased or made for you identify yourself to me as a PV 68 grad and you will get the family price.

School Story:

My favorite times at Palo Verde were singing in Jubileers and time spent on the Gymnastics team. I was honored to be added to Jubileers during my freshman year at PV and sang in it and Concert Choir from then on. I had many good friends in the music department. My freshman year I also joined the Gymnastics team and was thrown off because I didn't do all of the events. I was in love with the trampoline. After a lot of whining, Coach Lans let me come back out to do only trampoline if I promised to not get in the way. By the end of that year I placed on trampoline in a few varsity meets and was given a varsity letter for doing so. I have lost contact with the great guys on the teams from those years and hope that this site will be a venue to get back in touch.

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Rick Franz has a birthday today.
Nov 20, 2019 at 4:34 AM
Rick Franz has a birthday today.
Nov 20, 2018 at 4:33 AM
Rick Franz updated profile. View.
May 20, 2018 at 2:56 PM
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May 20, 2018 at 2:50 PM
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Sep 26, 2018 at 8:28 PM

Posted on: May 20, 2018 at 2:49 PM

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Feb 05, 2018 at 11:19 AM

Posted on: Feb 05, 2018 at 11:19 AM

Rick Franz posted a message on Christine Freund's Profile. New comment added.
Mar 17, 2018 at 5:05 PM

Posted on: Feb 03, 2018 at 7:32 AM

Hi Chris, have the happiest of birthdays. Yep I'm already 67, how did this happen?
Rick

Rick Franz has a birthday today.
Nov 20, 2017 at 4:33 AM
Rick Franz has a birthday today.
Nov 20, 2016 at 4:33 AM
Rick Franz has a birthday today.
Nov 20, 2015 at 4:33 AM
Rick Franz posted a message.
Jan 13, 2015 at 1:12 PM

Dear Annette, I often thought it was too bad we weren't friends through school
anyway Happy Birthday

Rick Franz has a birthday today.
Nov 20, 2014 at 4:33 AM