Longtime 43rd District Legislator and former Fremont Public Association Executive Director, Frank Chopp, passed away Saturday at the age of 71.
Chopp spent his entire career devoted to fighting poverty and advocating for working families. After graduating from the University of Washington, he was a community organizer for better human services, health care programs and affordable housing. In 1989 his passions led him to the FPA, now known as Solid Ground.
The FPA was created in 1974 in response to neighborhood food insecurity and unemployment and provided a food pantry, clothing bank, and job referral service. Chopp served as the FPA executive director, president and senior advisor until his death. He oversaw the expansion of the FPA’s mission to include housing, transportation, and youth development.
In the political arena, Chopp was first elected in 1994 as a state legislator for the 43rd Legislative District, which encompasses most of Fremont. He only recently retired prior to the current legislative session. He served as Co-Speaker and Speaker of the House from 1999 to 2019.
According to his Wikipedia page, Chopp served on over 20 non-profit boards during the course of his career, which is a testament of his ability to build partnerships in the pursuit of societal change and community impact.
He lived in Wallingford and is survived by his wife, Nancy Long, and their two children.
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