We are saddened to learn that Frank Irigon, ICHS’ fourth executive director passed away on September 12, 2024.

We remember him for his devotion to the CID. His mentorship to young leaders. His leadership in the civil rights and labor movements. And his steadfast commitment to ICHS through the most challenging period in our organization’s history.

A life-long community activist, affectionately known as “Frankie” and “Uncle Frank,” he was involved in the very first “Kingdome” protests, a watershed moment for Seattle’s Asian American community to speak out against gentrification and displacement.

Irigon was also instrumental in the first negotiations with the City of Seattle to secure funding to launch ICHS’ first clinic. He and other Asian American community organizers were inspired by and worked in solidarity with Seattle’s Black civil rights leaders. ICHS was modeled on the Carolyn Downs Family Medical Center which was founded in 1970 – known then as the Sidney Miller Free Medical Clinic — by the Seattle Black Panther Party. ICHS was founded in 1973 to serve low-income Asian immigrants who had no options when they needed a doctor who spoke their language.

ICHS’ first clinic in the CID neighborhood was named the International District Community Health Center, located in a storefront on Maynard Ave, in the heart of the CID.

Irigon became executive director at the end of the Reagan era, when previous director Gail Tanaka stepped down. He served as ICHS’ executive director from 1988 to 1993.

Our clinic, like many community health centers nationwide that served working families and communities of color, faced federal cuts to Medicaid and the closing of urban hospitals and clinics.

Then, like now, ICHS was a nonprofit clinic operating on a sliding-fee scale. In 1988 it served 2,446 patients with culturally-sensitive medical care and health services in 10 Asian/Pacific Islander languages and dialects — Toisan, Ilocano, Khmer, and many more. We were the only community clinic in the Northwest that offered medical services in all these languages.

ICHS has always been rooted in the activism and community organizing envisioned by Irigon. In 1988, out of a budget of $948,000, the clinic raised 85% of its revenue from non-patient or insurance revenue. Leaders of the clinic, led by Frankie and ICHS’ founders, had to be nimble and ingenious to keep the clinic open and the bills paid.

In the words of former ICHS Foundation Executive Director Ron Chew: “In the Clinic’s grand tradition of making do with very little, Irigon was forced to find help wherever he could.”

Irigon was remembered for being assertive. Maybe even imposing. But he had a keen awareness of organizing, and the heart to keep ICHS going to ensure that our mission of health access for all could carry on.

After his tenure with ICHS, he continued being an activist and outspoken community leader. Irigon served on the boards of the Puget Sound Advocates for Retirement Action, the OCA Asian Pacific American Advocates—Greater Seattle Chapter, and the Asian and Pacific Islander Americans for Civic Engagement. He was also a founding member of AAPI Against Hate and fought against anti-Asian and Pacific Islander hate crimes.

Irigon is survived by his wife, Felicita, and their three children and five grandchildren.

Irigon’s commitment to the CID never wavered. And in his passing, may we remember the hot flame of activism at the heart of ICHS.

Rest in power Frankie.

To learn more about Frank Irigon, visit:

OCA Greater Seattle mourns passing of activist, community leader Francisco “Uncle Frankie” Irigon

PSARA Oral Histories Project: Frank Irigon

Seattle Civil Rights and Labor History Project