Francisco Ayerdi

Francisco ("Frank", "Panch," or "Pancho") passed away Friday, December 15, 2017 at the age of 55 at his home in Kalamazoo, Michigan. Francisco was born December 21, 1961 in Guatemala City, Guatemala. Frank received his first flute at age 12, and thus began a lifelong passion for music. As a teenager he was a member of the Guatemala National Symphony Orchestra. Upon his move to Michigan, he continued as a flautist with the KSO and played many weddings and ceremonies. A dedicated student as a teen, he often let out a fun side cruising with friends on the weekend in Guatemala in his yellow Fiat, where he was known as the Yellow Cat. Frank moved to the United States after high school to go to college and graduated with a Computer Science degree from Northern Michigan University. After graduation he built a career as a Computer Systems Engineer and even worked for IBM, one of his life goals. Frank enjoyed his many hobbies and dedicated himself to mastering new things. He also had a special interest in public service as a police officer and investigator for multiple southwest Michigan cities, he was a para-professional tutoring Hispanic children, served as a Notary Public, and he was a Master Mason of the Freemasons. He was a gifted brewer and chef, ever the experimenter with recipes. Frank also achieved his Pilot's License, which fulfilled his dream of flying his own plane. Throughout his life, Frank cultivated wonderful friendships and treasured them from his childhood in Guatemala, to his college years, and throughout his career. The highlight and greatest success of Frank's life are his sons, Alexander Ayerdi, Joshua Ayerdi, Tristan Hirzel, and Codin Ayerdi; who survive. His most memorable times were spent with his boys going out to eat, cooking at home, making videos, watching movies, and travelling. Frank is also survived by his parents Irma Salguero and Evalt and Jamie Ayerdi, sisters Jayne Popovic, Sarah Hart, and Kimberly Tritten; aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews, and cousins. At the wishes of the family, cremation has taken place and no visitation or services are scheduled. Arrangements by Langeland Family Funeral Homes, Memorial Chapel, 622 S. Burdick Street.