Frank Madsen Obituary - Visitation & Funeral Information

Frank Madsen passed away on Thursday, July 26 from complications due to a fall. He was born in Chicago on October 4, 1943, the son of John and Eva Madsen. Frank went to Taft High School and then to Illinois Wesleyan University in Normal, Illinois. In 1968, he received a degree in Industrial Design from the Illinois Institute of Technology. Frank joined the Field Museum at the beginning of their Exhibition Department where he worked until 1972, designing numerous exhibits. From 1972-78 he taught Industrial, Product, and Exhibit Design for the Institute of Design at IIT. He founded the interpretive exhibit firm ExhibitStaff in1975. In 1978, Frank was a founding partner in the museum exhibit and design firm Abrams Teller & Madsen, later teller|madsen where he successfully completed over 100 exhibits nation-wide. Frank lectured extensively and was the recipient of the Award of Merit from the American Association for State and Local History. Frank was one of the first designers to lecture on the exhibit design implications of the Americans with Disabilities Act. After retiring from the design world, Frank indulged his second passion—antique toys and cars. He was a frequent presence at fairs and auctions and a valued member of Stateline Toy Club, collecting Dinky toys and other rare and unique toys. Frank was a quiet, detail-oriented, humorous, creative and practical designer. His strength was in his dependability, honesty and steadfastness. He understood both design and audience and the exhibits he produced reflected an understanding that good design helps tell stories. The slogan for his firm was “We can think and draw at the same time.” He was an inspiration and friend to many and will be sorely missed. He is survived by his long time partner Dawn HoFung. A memorial celebrating Frank’s life is being planned.

Tributes

Frank Madsen

October 4, 1943 - July 26, 2018