President emeritus of the Seminary Consortium for Urban Pastoral Education (SCUPE), suffered a sudden heart attack and died while at home in Florida on May 15, 2016. Dave served as president and founding director of SCUPE from 1976 – 2010. He was 73.
Before coming to SCUPE Dave served as an urban pastor and adjunct seminary professor in the Boston area. He held degrees from Bethel Theological Seminary and Andover Newton Theological Seminary.
Called at a young age to lead this start up organization, Dr. Frenchak helped build SCUPE over the years to become a robust consortium of seminaries that specialized in urban contextual theology. His wide-ranging relationships with various constituencies in the Chicago, including churches and funding institutions, allowed many new opportunities to emerge. Among them was the development of theological education programs rooted in African-centered theologies – Center for African American Theological Studies (CAATS) — and in Latin American-centered theologies (Advanced Latino/a Theological Education (ALTE). These programs prepared urban ministers for effective ministry in their respective communities. Dave continued to teach at SCUPE for several years after he retired. For much of that time his wife, Rev. Carol Ann McGibbon, partnered with him in building up SCUPE.
David is survived by his beloved wife, Carol Ann McGibbon, two daughters Karis and Janis, and two grandsons Kyle and Gabe.