Community mourns loss

CSB+SJU mourns the loss of Professor Frank J. Plachecki, who passed away last week.

Plachecki was a Global Business Leadership professor who began teaching at CSB+SJU in 2022. A life tribute service was held this past Tuesday in Long Lake, Minnesota.

Though Plachecki had many health setbacks, he was a distinguished educator and musician who impacted many students at CSB+SJU. CSB senior Kaylee Glaser spoke fondly of the late professor.

“Frank was my professor for two classes, one of which was his last semester teaching here while going through cancer treatment. Even through his health concerns, he showed up for his students with an excitement to teach,” Glaser said. “One quality I will always remember about him was his unwavering commitment to his faith. Although I am saddened to hear about his passing, I feel a sense of peace knowing that he is resting with the Lord now.”

Plachecki received a Ph.D. in Education, M.A. in Marketing, and B.S. in Education from the University of Minnesota. CSB senior and Global Business Leadership Teaching Assistant Broowke Verkinnes said his dedication to academia made him a memorable professor to students like her.

“I feel truly grateful to have had Frank as my professor. He always had a smile on his face and an energy that showed how much he loved his work. He cared deeply for each one of us and always pushed us to go further in life,” Verkinnes said. “He never stopped believing in our potential, and his hopefulness left a lasting impact on all of us. He will be dearly missed, but his influence will live on in the lives of his students.”

Fellow Global Business Leadership professor Jeffery Korsmo started working at CSB+SJU in the same fall as Plachecki. Korsmo took over a class this semester that was intended to be taught by Plachecki.

“Many of those students had Frank for another class and signed up because they wanted him as a prof again. I told them of Frank’s passing and asked if they wanted to share a reflection about him,” Korsmo said via email.

Korsmo said his students shared stories about Plachecki’s ability for connection and the care he had for his students. Personally, he knew Plachecki well and said he had been extremely close to him, especially in the last year.

“Frank was a beautiful human being who danced to his own delightful drummer. I am blessed to have become close colleagues and friends with this fine man. He lived our Benedictine values of hospitality and community as well as anyone I have known,” Korsmo said via email.

Details regarding a celebration of life service for students to pay their respects will be announced soon.