Frank Ainsley will always be remembered by his colleagues and students as the professor who took out the school’s brick entrance on Randall Drive with his souped up ’53 Chevy after being rammed by a motorist running a red light. He will be remembered as the professor who, immediately following the crash reported to his class, which he taught with a broken finger.

Ainsley will be remembered as a huge Buddy Holly fan who annually gave his “Buddy Holly lecture” to geography classes on February 3, the day of Holly’s death.

At Ainsley’s memorial service, many had to stand in the foyer because the chapel was at capacity.

William Frank Ainsley passed away June 17 at New Hanover Regional Medical Center of natural causes. He was 65 and is survived by his wife Mary, children Mark and Susan and grandson. He taught at the university for 36 years in the Department of Geography and Geology, specializing in historic preservation and human and cultural geography.

Department Chair Lynn Leonard worked with Ainsley for 16 years.

“He was incredibly dedicated to his students. He was a friend to them. And he was very much loved by them,” said Leonard. She and Elizabeth Hines, geography professor, coined the term “Ainsley-ites” for students and alumni who they believe would have followed him to the ends of the earth. “We’ve since re-discovered students who made a career in geography because of Frank,” said Leonard.

Ainsley was recognized by the North Carolina Geographical Society as Geography Educator of the Year in 2003 and received the UNC Board of Governors Award for Teaching Excellence, which he was nominated for by his colleagues, in 2004. He was an active officer for the Pioneer America Society. He had in his possession 25 years of material that he had archived for the society, a project his daughter Susan will continue, according to Leonard.

“He lived his profession. He loved learning. It permeated every aspect of his life,” said Leonard. Hines added that there was “no fun without geography for Frank.”

In describing Ainsley’s office, Hines explained that his book collection was intimidating if only because of its sheer size-“floor to ceiling, nothing but books.” Toward the back of his office there was a curtain, she said, and through the curtain was more books, movies, maps and archived material than you would think one person could consume in a lifetime. At the time of his death he was in the process of phased retirement and had been cleaning out his office one box at a time. “He hadn’t even made a dent,” said Hines.

Ainsley’s Facebook profile bears witness to the many students who cherish his friendship and guidance. Pages of tributes tell the story of a man with a playful disposition who was young at heart and committed to teaching, who loved to travel and learn and who had a lifelong impact on his students and colleagues.

The Department of Geography and Geology will feature a commemoration for Ainsley in the fall, said Leonard.